Historical records of a hundred and twenty years, Auburn, N. Y.

NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES

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Historical Records of a Hundred
and X\venty Years

AUBURN, N. Y. ^Z

By JOEL H. MONROE

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NINETEEN HUNDRED THIRTEEN

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THEKUVs? YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

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W. F. HUMPHREY, PRINTER. GENEVA, N. Y.

Preface

^^^^^0]HE pages of this volume, the writer believes,
present a complete and reliable History of
Auburn. Its completeness of detail, how-
ever, is due in great measure to the earnest
and cordial aid rendered by many interested people of
the city. The writer, therefore, wishes to express
here his appreciation and thanks for this valuable help.
Effort has been made to produce a faithful historical
record of Auburn from 1793 to 1913. If it contains errors
/? they will be found to be of such nature, it is believed,
as not to effect the value of the work.

^

i^ Auburn, N. Y.,

September 10, 1913.

Table of Contents

Aurelius, Town of 27

Auburn Academy 40

Auburn Pub. Schools 43

Auburn House 64

American Hotel 65

Allen, Isaac S t 126

Auburn Theological Seminary . . 132

Auburn Med. College 138

Avery, Edward H 141

Auburn Savings Bank 151

Auburn City Nat. Bank 155

Auburn Exchange Nat. Bank . . . 155

Auburn Trust Co 156

Auburn College 161

Auburn & Syracuse R. R 162

Auburn & Rochester R. R 163

Auburn & Lansing R. R 166

Auburn a City 180

Auburn Gas Light Co 185

Auburn Water Works Co 186

Auburn Tract Depository 188

Auburn Garden, The 200

Auburn in the Civil War 206

Asylum for Destitute Children . . 246
Auburn City Hospital 246

Brinkerhoff , Martina 16

Bostwick, William 19

Burt, Dr. Hackaliah 24

Bennett School 34

Brainard, Rev. James, D.D. ... 81

Book Publishers 125

Blatchford, Hon. Samuel 139

Bank of Auburn 145

Barber, Josiah 167

Beardsley, Nelson 174

Bronson, Parliment 199

Barker, Justin L 239

Beardsley, Wm. C 241

Bus. Men's Ass'n 244

Beecher, Willis J., D.D 256

Beardsley, Alonzo G 261

Center House, The 61

County Seat 70

Churches, Early and Late 76

Central Presbyterian 91

Cumpston, John H 109

Cayuga Co. Nat. Bank 150

Cayuga Co. Savings Bank 153

Chase, Capt. Geo. B 169

Coffin, Capt. Joshua 170

Chedell, Gen. John H 176

Cook, Horace T 178

City Clerks 181

Court of Thousand Judges 182

Case, Erastus 191

Clapp, Emerous D 194

Clark, Gen. John S 221

Civil War Generals 226

Cayuga Co. Hist. Society 230

Cheesman, William S., M.D 259

Dwight, Hon. Chas. C 219 g

Dill, Robert 67 \

Early Taverns 59 j

First Mill, The 15

First Town Meeting : 28

Female Seminary 36

Fourth of July, 1804 69

First Presbyterian Church 83

First M. E. Church 93

First Bap. Church 96

First Bible Society 131

First Sunday School 131

Fitch, Abijah 136

First Nat. Bank 155

Fire of 1837 162

Fort Hill Cemetery 186

Flagler, Isaac V 251

Garrow, Nathaniel 53

Griswold, F. L 238

Hardenbergh Corners 11

Hardenbergh, John L 12

Hardenbergh, John L., Children
of 55

Table of Contents

Hunter Tavern 66

Hughes, Peter, County Clerk ... 72

Hawley, Rev. Charles, D.D 85

Hubbard, Rev. Wm.H.,D.D... 86

Holy Family Church 102

Hayden, Peter R 166

Hurd, Hon. John M 173

Howland, Horace V 194

HaU, Hon. Benj. F 196

Hack, First Pubhc 199

Home Incident Civil War 225

Home, The 245

Incorporation of Village Ill

Institutions of Auburn 244

Ives, Rev. Benoni I., D.D 254

Industries 268

Kossuth, Louis 189

Knapp, Gen. John N 223

Logan 8

Lafayette, Gen. Visit 158

Miller, Hon. Elijah 48

Muir, Robert 58

Merriman, Corydon B 149

Martha Washington Society. . .172

Mayors of Auburn 180

Miller, Adam 182

Morgan, Hon. Christopher 197

MacDougaU, Gen. Clinton D. .213
Merchants Union Express Co. .229

Meyers, Michael M 240

Music in Auburn 249

Municipality, The 278

Newspapers 116

Osco Village 8

Olmsted, Noah 22

~' Owasco Canal 137

Oswego Starch Factory 183

Osborne, D. M 234

Osborne, John H 262

O'Brien, John W 265

Paper Mills 159

Postmasters of Auburn 182

Popple, Professor 202

Pullman, Geo. M 227

Porter, Hon. John 263

Pomeroy, Hon. Theodore M . . . . 263

Richardson, Col. John 51

Richardson, Hon. Joseph L. . . .138

Rathbun, Hon. George 140

Rathbun, George O 141

Rude, Alvah 203

Representatives Congress 227

Ross, Elmore P 240

Schools, 1796-1913 31

Springside School 55

Sand Beach Church 76

St. Peter's Church 78

St. John's Church 82

Second Presbyterian Church. . . 90

Second Baptist Church 98

St. Mary's Church 104

Steel, Dr. Richard 142

Seymour, Jas. S 148

Seward, W. H. & Co 152

Southern Central R. R 164

Swain, Capt. William 168

Soule, Lyman 182

Seward, Gen. W. H 216

Segoine, Col. Jesse 222

Stewart, Col. Chas. H 223

Stone, Henry M 225

Seward, Hon. Wm. H 230

Storke, Lauens J 238

Sunnycrest Hospital 248

State Armory '.248

Seymour Library 251

Seward Monument 253

Searing, Hon. Adolphus H 260

Shimer, Anthony 266

Throop, Hon. Enos 1 73

Trinity M. E. Church 75

Table of Contents

Universalist Church 100 Woodruff, Harmon 23(

Underwood, George 114 Willard, Sylvester, M.D 24!

Woman's Union 24(i

Village Presidents 112 Wheeler Rifles 25:i

Wilcox, Benj. M 26i

Western Exchange Hotel 60

Wright, David 141 Young Men's Christian Ass'n. .24!

Wheeler, Cyrenus, Jr 231

Historical Records of a Hundred
and Twenty Years

CHAPTER I

OSCO VILLAGE AND HARDENBERGH CORNERS

^^OWARD the close of the eighteenth century,
when the western horizon of civihzation
dropped down across the middle of the
Empire State and nearly all the vast
stretch of territory lying west of this line
was the domain of the Indian, Osco village was seated
in undisputed sovereignty on the bank of the Owasco
outlet, where the prison is now located and in the heart
of the present city of Auburn. This village comprised
a little huddle of bark huts which was the abiding place
of a small band of the Cayuga tribe.

Osco village, it so happened, was situated midway
between two great Indian capitals, that of the Onondagas
on the east and the Senecas on the west. The Onondagas
were the religionists, the orators, the diplomatists of
the confederacy, while the Senecas were the warriors,
distinguished for their astuteness and deeds of valor.

Here the Cayugas were wont to come and go, and
here in this village, in the later years of the eighteenth
century, a few of them dwelt in the inspiring shadow of
the stately and picturesque Fort Hill, which rises to a

8 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

height of more than one hundred feet, and richly clothed
with sward and foliage.

To the Cayugas Fort Hill, or Osco, was hallowed
ground. They had wet the soil with their blood when
they wrested it from trespassers, the Alleghans, more
than six hundred years ago. The Alleghans, a strong
nation, came from the southwest in the latter part of the
twelfth century, it is said, and by force of arms occupied
this strategic point and they continued in possession
until about 1310. The Alleghans, according to researchers
in Indian history, constructed the forts, the ramparts
and the various other fortifications which crowned the
hill. They also established the sacrificial mound upon
the apex of the hill where now stands the somber and im-
pressive monument to the illustrious Logan, the tried
and true friend of the white man.

About 1310, it is stated, the Iroquois forced the Al-
leghans to evacuate the village of Osco, or Fort Alleghan,
as it was later known, and also to quit the country.
From that time on until about the close of the War of the
Revolution Osco on the hill was an imperial city and was
occupied by the Cayugas, and the fortification served
them through many turbulent conflicts with other nations.
It was the dwelling place of the senators, the chieftains,
and the sachems of the nation. It was the birth place,
too, it is said, of Logan the orator, the diplomatist, the
master spirit for universal peace.

Logan's father, Shekellimus, was one of the chieftains
of the Cayuga nation and dwelt at Osco. About the
year 1730 he, with his family, migrated from Osco and

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 9

joined another wing of the Cayugas then living across
the border in Pennsylvania. Logan, then a young man,
accompanied the family to the new country and there
through the influence of the Moravian missionaries and
William Penn, the founder of the State of Pennsylvania,
became a Christian and was widely celebrated for his
labors in the cause of peace and the uplift of his people.
Shekellimus, the father, died in 1749 and in 1774 the
other members of Shekellimus family, together with
Logan's family — for he had meantime married the
daughter of a Cayuga senator — migrated to the Ohio
valley, where they were all slain by the whites. This
act of inhumanity and disregard of his steadfast friend-
ship so shocked and roused Logan that he plunged into a
war of retaliation and revenge. It was at the peace
convention at the close of this bloody war that Logan
delivered that masterpiece of oratory which ranks along
with the memorable speech of President Lincoln at
Gettysburg. The address closed with the following terse
sentences: "Logan never felt fear. He will not turn
on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for
Logan .f* Not one!"

The climax of the treachery and inhumanity of the
whites came a little later when Logan himself, then an
old man, was slain while on his way back to his native
village, Osco. The rugged old native stone monument
erected in 1852 and bearing the heartbroken cry "Who is
there to mourn for Logan?" fittingly typifies the character
of the man and commemorates the tragedy of his life.

10 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

The War of the Revolution had closed in 1783 and the
poor Indian knew not its cause; nor did he comprehend
that, as a result of its outcome, he was to be practically
despoiled of his landed birthright. Untrained in values
and units as they enter into the making of dollars he, at
the convention of 1789 and later ones, for a petty sum,
sold and treatied himself out of ownership and possession
of nearly all the land comprising the western half of the
State of New York.

The course of empire, following this event, was slowly
making its way westward, the trail — the only means of
land travel — being dotted at long intervals along the
way by the cabins of the intrepid pioneers as they stopped
to locate and establish homes. In 1780 there was scarcely
a settler west of Schenectady; in 1785 there was not
more than one cabin at Fort Schuyler, now Utica, and
west of this point few white men, other than soldiers,
had yet penetrated. By 1789 the State had got in pos-
session of a vast domain and was parcelling out the
land to speculators who in turn were selling it to pioneers
and homekeepers. Some sections were set apart as
military tracts, which were subdivided into lots of six
hundred acres each. These lots were given to soldiers
as compensation for their services in the War of the
Revolution. But only a small part of these grants were
ever occupied by the grantees. They were mostly sold
to speculators. Each of these lots, as above stated,
contained six hundred acres and so it is that Auburn
occupies six of these military lots.

COL. JOHN LEONARD HARDENBERGH

Founder of Auburn.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 11

By the year 1790 the trail had become a much traveled
thoroughfare. It had been widened from time to time
mostly by gratuitous labor in order to render easier the
passage of the stream of homeseekers who were rapidly
pushing into the new country. It was 1793, however,
before any permanent settlement was effected on the
site of Auburn. The objective point prior to this seemed
to have been still further west, therefore, several places
in this direction had been established and gained sub-
stantial headway before the first settler erected a cabin
upon the site of the present City Hall.

The land comprising the city of Auburn was not an
attractive spot. It was shadowed everywhere with
dense and almost impenetrable forest. Pools of water
and quagmire abounded on every hand, while the
north section sloped off into a prolific cranberry
marsh. Why the stakes for a future city should have
been set in such a section, except for one reason, is be-
yond the divining power of mortals, while the land lake-
ward afforded a site of almost unequalled attraction.
But the keen pioneer plainly knew his ground and builded
well. The swift flowing Owasco outlet with its many
falls, cascades and the possibilities in water power ap-
pealed to the matured business instinct of Col. John
Leonard Hardenbergh when he chose the lower land along
the stream for the building of his village and town. Yet
it is true that out of and on this unattractive and then
unsanitary spot a handsome and attractive city has grown
up.

12 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

It was 1793 when Col. Hardenbergh pushed his way
into the dense forest and erected the first log cabin on
the site of Auburn. He was not a stranger to the section,
however, for among his many accomplishments Col.
Hardenbergh was a surveyor. For several years he had
been engaged with Simeon Dewitt, the Surveyor General,
in the western part of the State in laying out and estab-
lishing townships. The township of Aurelius as first
established and in which Auburn was founded, covered a
vast area of territory. It was ten miles square and
included besides Auburn the present towns of Fleming,
Owasco, Sennett and Throop. It was a military town-
ship, and as previously stated, after being subdivided into
lots of six hundred acres each, passed to those who had
served in the Revolutionary War.

Col. Hardenbergh served with distinction in the war;
was commissioned as a captain and was with Gen. Sulli-
van in the memorable raid on the Indians in the Genesee
country in J779. Soon after the close of the war he
resumed his professional work for the government, when
the title to the land had passed to the State. He had
himself surveyed the land, six hundred acres, which he
afterward selected for the founding of his village and city.
This lot had been sold by the grantee to Martin and Josiah
Ogden Hoffman, of New York, from whom Col. Harden-
bergh purchased it for one hundred and eighty pounds.

COL. JOHN L. HARDENBERGH

Col. Hardenbergh was of Holland Dutch descent and
it is said, that some of his ancestors were distinguished

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 13

in statesmanship and military affairs in their country.
The Colonel, however, was a native of Rosendale, Ulster
County, N. Y., where he was born in 1746. He was
therefore, 47 years of age when he cast his lot on the
bank of the Owasco outlet and founded the town which
no doubt has grown into a city far beyond his rashest
dream. Col. Hardenbergh possessed the qualities of a
useful pioneer; he was constructive, upbuilding, coura-
geous and honest.

It was in the early part of the summer 1793 that Col.
Hardenbergh, accompanied by Harry and Kate Freeman,
two colored slaves, followed the trail into the forest and
began the erection of the first log cabin in the proposed
village. He had for neighbors the little colony of Indians
then living at Owasco village, a few rods down the river.
At this village there was a crossing, it is said, constructed
of stones covered with bark, being the only place from
the lake to the mouth of the river where dry passage across
was possible. He was now in a new country and in the
midst of a dense forest, with no roof to shelter him at
night except the great canopy overhead. So he, with
his two colored slaves, for several nights slept upon the
most hospitable ground available, the chief concern
being to select a dry spot. Col. Hardenbergh is said to
have been a man of large stature and robust physique,
possessing in addition a dominant spirit of progress and
an ambition to build and achieve. An immediate move
was made for the building of a log cabin. This was
located on ground at the rear of the present City Hall.
There happened to be a settler near Owasco lake, Gilbert

14 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Goodrich, who was at once employed to build the log
house, while Col. Hardenbergh and his colored com-
panions set about clearing the grounds and felling trees
in order to get warmth and sunlight. The typical
pioneer's house was soon erected and the scanty, rude
furnishings placed therein. There was no stove, no
means of cooking, except a "mock" fireplace crudely
constructed with no chimney, merely a "smokehole"
through the roof for the passage of the smoke. But the
building of this first log cabin signalized the founding of
a city in a country where the smoke from the chimney
of a white man's home had never ascended.

According to the most authentic information Col.
John L. Hardenbergh was still a bachelor, although 47
years of age. In consideration of his services for the
Government in the War of the Revolution, he had been
granted land in what is now Onondaga county. This
he sold in order to secure lot No. 47 along the Owasco
outlet which, when surveying it a short time before,
seemed to suggest to him the possibilities of great achieve-
ment. Col. Hardenbergh's cabin from this time on was
the haven for new arrivals and travelers along the trail.
The main ancient trail from the east to the west passed
near the foot of Owasco lake, thence down the outlet
intersecting Genesee street at the head of the present
North street. Trails ran from the lake on both sides of
the outlet, however, and continued on northward beyond
the settlement to Montezuma.

The banks of the Owasco outlet, apparently at some
ancient time were the scene of a battle, or perhaps many

THE OLD ELEAZER HUNTER TAVERN

Erected 1798, East Genesee Street.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 15

of them, for the Indian spoke of it as the "place where
men were killed." The battle ground in early Indian
wars in the immediate vicinity was not alone at Osco
village, now Fort Hill; it probably was too strongly
fortified for successful attack. But the Indians were
not unfriendly to the white men. The few that were still
present fished and hunted as was their custom and sought
as much as possible to live on terms of amity with the
new race. Drink, of which they knew nothing before
the country of the "civilized" whites, aggravated their
misery, and robbed them of their long standing virtue of
sobriety.

So soon as the log cabin was completed and put in
livable condition. Col. Hardenbergh set about the work
of utilizing the water power of the outlet. Some means
of grinding corn, other than by the usual poineer's spring-
pole and hollowed-out stump, was the urgent need. For
this work he engaged the services of Thomas Morley,
another settler in the lake region, and they together built
a log dam across the outlet. This finally completed,
he contracted with Eldad Steel and Captain Edward
Wheeler for the building of a "gig" mill near the new
dam, the mill to have one run of stone, with the capacity
of twelve bushels of corn a day. This mill was on the
site of the present Lewis and Brister mill on Genesee
street east of the outlet.

The gig mill served the community until 1802, doing
a prosperous business as the number of settlers in the
village and the outlying sections increased from year to
year. But by the year above named the capacity of the

16 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

little mill became inadequate and so a new frame mill was
erected which trebled the grinding capacity, and the
year following it was still further increased to a mill of
the capacity of one hundred and thirty bushels a day.
About 1824 a stone mill was erected on the site and is
still in operation. But the original mill was the only
one of the kind then within a radius of many miles. The
Hardenbergh mill, in consequence, was very much of a
focal point for various members of the pioneer families
dwelling in and around the young village.

It was not unusual in those early days that the taking
of the grist to the mill was delegated to some female
member of the pioneer household. Among the early
settlers along Owasco lake was a family by the name of
Brinkerhof. There was in this family a daughter,
Martina, a handsome young woman, it is said, with many
estimable qualities. It often fell to her to go to the mill.
There being then no defined highway, she, like others,
went on horseback, carrying the grist beside her on the
horse's back. It was quite the custom, too, to wait at
the mill for the grist, so it was that while the Brinkerhoff
grist was rattling through the hopper the Colonel courted
the fair Martina. Thus it came about that they were
married in 1796. Col. Hardenbergh was then 50, and
his bride 23. In 1798 their son, John H. Hardenbergh
was born, and in 1800 there was born to them a daughter,
Maria. Soon after his marriage Mr. Hardenbergh
erected a frame dwelling on the site of his log cabin.
This new home afi^orded all the comforts found in a pioneer
home. The settlement had already become known as

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 17

Hardenbergh Corners and so continued until the year
of 1905. Meanwhile, the clearing away of the forest,
especially in the lower section, was pushed along with
great vigor, thus admitting the air and sunlight upon an
otherwise unhealthy and uninviting section of the settle-
ment. By the year 1796 other mills other than the
Hardenbergh grist mill were locating along the stream
for the making of various commodities. Col. Harden-
bergh controlled nearly all the water privileges along
the Outlet. These developed into a valuable property
during the succeeding year.

The section around the lake had a colony of settlers
that was contemporary with the settlement of Col.
Hardenbergh in Aurelius. Among them were Roeliff,
Jacob and Luke Brinkerhoflf, Charles and James Vantyne,
Philip O'Brien, Thomas and Abraham Johnson, and
Albert Demaree, and soon thereafter David, Isaac and
John Parsell joined that settlement. This colony of
settlers came mostly from Pennsylvania and established
a thrifty and prosperous community composed of excel-
lent citizens.

Col. Hardenbergh was joined in 1793 by Solomon
Tibbies and Jacob Van Dorn, both having been soldiers
in the War of the Revolution. About this time also Rev.
David Irish, a Baptist minister, cast his lot at the Corners.
Rev. Mr. Irish, it is said, in 1794, preached the first
sermon ever delivered in Cayuga county. During the
first two years the additions to the Hardenbergh settle-
ment were not especially noteworthy. But the year 1795
witnessed a considerable influx of settlers who became

18 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

valuable citizens. They were Major Noah Olmsted,
Gideon Tyler, and his family, and James O'Brien. The
latter erected a log house directly on the site of the present
City Hall and soon thereafter opened a general store.
This year also marked the arrival of the first physicians
at the Corners, namely. Dr. Samuel Crossett and Dr.
Ellis. The following year, 1796, Samuel Bristol located
at the Corners. He had the honor of opening the first
hotel, a very modest log cabin, certainly with no deluxe
apartments. A part of this log building was a store also,
probably the first store to start business in the com-
munity. This tavern and store built in 1796 was located
at the corner of Genesee and North streets. Bristol ran
the hotel and store for several years; finally sold to John
Treat.

So the Corners was now gradually taking on the air of a
village. The year 1797 and 1798 brought to the village
a number of citizens who became notable factors in the
making and building of Auburn. These were Dr. Hacka-
liah Burt, John Treat, above mentioned. Major Walter
G. Nichalas, Nehemiah Smith, Daniel Hyde, and Wil-
liam Bostwick. Mr. Bostwick bought for $750.00 one
hundred acres of Lot 46 which, as developments pro-
gressed brought it in the heart of the business section of
the village and city. It lay along the present Genesee
street, extending from South and North streets westward
a considerable distance beyond St. Peters church. It
early became a valuable property as the village grew and
business institutions of various kinds were established
along the street.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 19

WILLIAM BOSTWICK

Mr. Bostwick was a valuable type of citizen for Auburn
in its early formative period. He was strong as to charac-
ter, progressive, public spirited and had a keen business
instinct. Mr. Bostwick was a New Englander by birth.
He was born at Stamford, Conn., Nov. 25, 1765. Some
years before settling in Auburn he made his way westward
as far as Whitestown, Oneida county, but the country
farther west attracted him and he concluded to settle
permanently in the town of Aurelius. In 1790, while yet
in Stamford, Mr. Bostwick was married and had a family
of four or five children when he became a resident of
Hardenbergh Corners. Two daughters, twins, were born
in 1798. They had a family finally of thirteen children.
Mr. Bostwick's first home in the settlement in 1799,
like all the others at the time, was a log cabin which was
situated on Genesee street about where the store No. 93
is now located. It was a double log house with a coat
of whitewash both inside and out. Genesee street,
however, was by this time making some progress in
development and upbuilding. In 1803 Mr. Bostwick
began the construction of a more modern frame house at
the corner of Genesee and Exchange streets. This was
completed in 1804 and he at once opened it as a tavern,
and continued to conduct it until 1816, when he sold the
property to Canfield Belo Coe. This hostelry after-
wards passed through many changes and had many
landlords up to 1868. Upon selhng the hotel, Mr. Bost-
wick moved to his new home at the corner of Genesee
and James street, where he lived until his death.

20 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

At the time of establishing the county seat and the
erection of the county buildings, Mr. Bostwick was
active and zealous in the interest of the growing village.
He donated one acre of land for the buildings, the ground
upon which they are still situated, and in other ways,
too, was influential in securing for Auburn the distinction
of being the capital of the county. Mr. Bostwick also
donated the land for St. Peters church, which was erected
first in 1812. He was, too, one of the most active pro-
moters of the church society, and served it in various
capacities with great earnestness and helpfulness.

As an evidence of his good citizenship and public spirit,
he, in the early times, it is recorded, proposed to donate
to the village for a public park the triangular plot of land
bounded by Genesee, South and Exchange streets but
the struggling village hesitated to assume the obligation,
the reason given being that the cost of building a fence
around it would be too great. In the light of later
development. Auburn, unquestionably, failed to recognize
and take advantage of an opportunity to enhance and
beautify the city. In many other respects also did Mr.
Bostwick manifest his good will and interest in the prog-
ress and upbuilding of his town; his heart, energy and
substance were devoted to these and all other good
measures. He died June 24, 1825, and by his death
Auburn lost an esteemed and useful citizen.

In 1795 there was a definite movement towards the
building of roads. There were by this time many set-
tlers both east and west of Aurelius, or Hardenbergh
Corners, and travel along the way had increased to a

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 21

considerable extent. This year marked the start in the
building of the Genesee Turnpike. The work was
prosecuted with much energy, so that by the year 1798
it was a fairly passable highway as far west as Canan-
daigua. It ran from the east over Onondaga Hill and
entered the Hardenbergh settlement by way of Franklin
street to North, thence to Genesee. Hardenbergh
Corners was then nearly submerged in mud and marsh.
But as the clearing away of the forest progressed, roads in
the immediate section were built, most of them crude
and imperfect, of course, but any step in the direction
of road building at all was an improvement in existing
conditions. So the work of the road building was pushed
along as rapidly as possible, but it was several years later
before the roads in and about the village were more than
a sea of mud in spring and fall. Genesee street through
the present city was described in 1814 as being little
better than a morass. Today it is as fine a thoroughfare
as can be found in any city.

Owasco street, or Owasco road, as it was known in
early times, was surveyed and laid out in 1795 by Elijah
Price and Zadock Grover, and the old state road to Scipio,
now South street, was formally located at the same time.
It was several years, however, before this highway was
in condition for travel with any degree of comfort. Stumps
were everywhere visible in these highways.

Solomon Tibbies, who joined the settlement in 1794
made the clearing for the cemetery on North street that
year, but the first burying ground in the new community
was at the corner of West Genesee and Washington streets.

22 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

This was opened for burial in 1795 and it is said the first
person buried therein was a man by the name of
Kittle.

In the rear of the old North street cemetery, when it
was first laid out in 1795, there was the remains of an
ancient Indian fort nearly as extensive and large, it is
said, as that at Fort Hill. It covered about twenty acres
of land and the site, like that of Fort Hill, rendered it a
commanding position. By whom or what nation it was
built there is no record available. Possibly this fort
was constructed by the same race that planned and built
the great fortress at Osco village. The plat of land for
the North street cemetery was on the farm of Major Noah
Olmsted, and this crude cemetery was surrounded by a
great log fence made of the trees felled on the cemetery
plat. The first burial in this cemetery was Gideon
Tyler, son of Gideon Tyler a pioneer in the settlement.
Pioneer Tyler had but a short time before located in the
community. He arrived in 1795 bringing his three
young sons, Amos, Gideon, and Solomon. With them
came Adam Fries and Zenas Huggins. They were all
men of character and contributed to the upbuilding of the
settlement.

NOAH OLMSTED

Major Olmsted came from Connecticut where he was
born February 29, 1768. He brought his young wife into
the settlement soon after their marriage. Their daughter
Hannah was born January 9, 1796, and was therefore the
first child born in the settlement. Mr. Olmsted was twice

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 23

married. There were six children by the first marriage
and three by the second.

At the time of the War of 1812 Mr. Olmsted entered
the service and continued until the end of the trouble.
He was successfully Adjutant, Lieutenant and Major,
and after the war took an active interest in the State
militia. Major Olmsted was one of the founders of the
First Congregational church, afterwards the First Presby-
terian, and also served for sometime as one of the school
trustees. He died in 1820.

Ambrose Olmsted, of another family, located in the
Hardenbergh settlement as early as 1793 or 1794. He
also came from New England.

The increase in the population of the settlement soon
induced the launching of several stores. James O'Brien
soon enlarged his store which he built on the City Hall
grounds and did a successful business for several years.
Major Walter J. Nichols succeeded O'Brien in 1796 and
erected a large frame addition to the store. Dr. Crossett
erected a building upon the site of the present session room
of the First Presbyterian church. He, too, opened a
general store, having as a department a line of drugs and
medicines.

Dr. Hackaliah Burt settled in the little village in March
1796. He was not then a physician. He had, however,
read medicine prior to locating at Hardenbergh Corners.
He at once entered the store of Dr. Crossett as a clerk
and student in medicine. His connection with Dr.
Crossett did not continue long apparently, for, it is said,
that a little later he opened an ashery on the bank of the

24 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Outlet a short distance below North street. In the early
pioneer days these industries were important and very
profitable. Potash brought a good price and also ready
money, and real money was extremely scarce then.
He also launched another general store and ran it several
years.

DR. HACKALIAH BURT

Dr. Burt soon became a man of affairs and a conspicu-
ous figure in the community. He bought a good part
of the military lot No. 56, lying in the south section of the
present city. It extended out South street a long distance
and eastward toward the outlet. When South street
finally opened for settlement. Dr. Burt erected a house
on the east side of the street between Grover and Logan
streets, where he lived until his death. The Burt tract
came to be in a desirable residential section as the village
grew. The land sold rapidly for building lots, and has
since become a beautiful residential section of the city.

Dr. Burt was active in developing and building up the
village. He was a man of progressive ideas and public
spirit, a helpful, good citizen. In religious faith. Dr.
Burt was an Episcopalian and an earnest and zealous
worker in behalf of St. Peters church and its society.
He aided the society both by services and contributions
of money. He also served for several years as an official
of the church society. By reason of his splendid charac-
ter and helpful influence he had high standing in the
community throughout his entire life.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 25

In 1796, Nehemiah Smith built the first log house on
the west side of North street, and soon thereafter St. Clair
Smith erected another in the same section.

The Hardenbergh settlement was making headway in
growth, building and business. It was about this time,
1795 and 1796 that Jehial Clark came from Ballston
Springs, Saratoga county, N. Y., and sought to establish
a little further west and north a rival to Hardenbergh
Corners. He was an active and energetic man and ap-
parently had means, for he entered at once into business
and building. He built a log dam across the outlet some
distance from the Hardenbergh dam and mill. Soon
after this, Mr. Clark erected both a saw mill and a grist
mill. It was proposed to build up a village bearing the
name of Clarkville. He built roads leading to his mills,
and attracted many settlers to that section. It later
became a considerable business center, but the original
village had too firm a footing and too many strong busi-
ness citizens, and so finally Clarkville was merged with the
older village, and the only lasting impress that remains
of Clarkville is the name Clark street.

Daniel Hyde became a resident of the Corners in 1798
and that year built a house next to and north of Dr.
Crossett's store on Franklin street. In 1802 he built a
tannery in the rear of his home. This he sold in 1805
to Elijah Esty, who carried on the tanning business for
several years.

Mr. Hyde after selling his tannery entered into partner-
ship with Dr. Hackaliah Burt. They bought land on
the north side of Genesee street, on the site of the first

26 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Bostwick tavern, and there opened a store. Mr. Hyde,
however, two years later, withdrew from the partnership
and went into the milHng business.

David Grant was one of the first to build a blacksmith
shop in the hamlet. This was located on North street
about where the Columbian block now stands. Grant
was a good blacksmith and became an important element
in the business affairs at the Corners.

Pioneers of the early days were staunch advocates and
supporters of schools, as well as churches. Therefore, in
1796 the residents of the little community took steps
for a settlement school. A log building was erected on
the west side of North street near the present Van Anden
street. Benjamin Phelps was the first teacher at this
school. It was not a large building, nor were there a
large number of pupils, but it was the beginning of a
school system that has developed into one of the best in
the State.

CHAPTER II

TOWN OF AURELIUS AND CAYUGA COUNTY

|HE fact is worthy of note here that the little
spot of ground which now comprises the
several wards of the city of Auburn, has,
since the State came into possession of
the land, at various times, constituted a
part of many of the civil divisions of the territory. It has
been in four counties and three towns.

After the War of the Revolution Auburn, or the land
upon which it is seated, was nearly in the center of the
great Tryon county, which included fully one-half of the
state of New York. The first sub-division soon after
was the erection of Herkimer county, which included
Cayuga county and a long stretch from this point both
eastward and westward. Later another division estab-
lished Onondaga county and finally March 8, 1799,
Cayuga county was set off from Onondaga.

In the first named county Auburn was a part of the
great town of Batavia, which extended over a vast area
of territory, and while in the civil confines of Herkimer
county, the town of Aurelius was set off January 27, 1789.
A few years later Auburn was taken from Aurelius. So
there was a town of Aurelius about six years before there
was a Cayuga county. The town government of Aurelius,
however, did not become operative until 1794. The

28 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

prime reason for this, according to record, was that it was
an exceedingly large town and very sparsely settled.

On the first Tuesday in April 1794 the first town meet-
ing of Aurelius was held at the house of Col. John L,
Hardenbergh, at Hardenbergh Corners. From this time
until 1803 the town meetings were held each year at
Hardenbergh's and subsequently for several years they
were held at Henry Moore's tavern, at Henry Brock-
way's house or in some of the district school houses.
The first supervisor chosen in 1794 was Joseph Grover,
and the first town clerk elected was John L. Harden-
bergh, who continued to serve until 1802. He was
succeeded by Dr. Samuel Crossett, 1802-1803; John
Herring, 1803-1807; Dr. Hackahah Burt, 1807-1810;
John Herring, 1810-1811; David Brinkerhoff, 1811-
1813; Nathaniel Garrow, 1813-1814; David Brinker-
hoff, 1814-1822; Daniel Calkins, 1822-1823.

The movement toward the organization of State militia
in the w^estern part of the State began the same year that
Auburn was founded. That year the State authorized
the organization of the Herkimer county militia, of which
John L. Hardenbergh was commissioned Major and Noah
Olmsted Adjutant. The following year, 1794, Onondaga
county was erected and a new regiment of light artillery
was organized in the new county, with Olmsted, Harden-
bergh and Edward Paine, Majors. When Cayuga county
was organized in 1799 Major Hardenbergh was promoted
to the rank of Colonel and Noal Olmsted was made
Major. Mr. Hardenbergh had been a Captain in the
Revolutionary War; but the title of Colonel, however,
came through his connection with the state militia.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 29

Meanwhile, there were a few Indians who still visited
the settlement from time to time and traded more or less
with the merchants in the colony. The wild animals of
various kinds still in the vicinity were a much greater
menace to the settlers than were the Indians at this time.

It is a matter of record too that Hardenbergh Corners
was still in the woods and very much in the mud. On
account of the latter condition, it is said, many home
seekers gave the place no more than a brief look, and
passed on to some section more inviting. However, a
large area of land had already been cleared in the settle-
ment and some of the farmers were raising crops of various
kinds, while gardens were everywhere in evidence around
the log cabins. The settlement in 1799 included many
thrifty residents. x\mong them were Col. Hardenbergh,
James O'Brien, Samuel Bristol, John Treat, William
Bostwick, Noah Olmsted, Daniel Hyde, Eldad Steel,
Nehemiah Smith, Samuel Crossett, Dr. Hackaliah Burt,
Samuel Herring, Dr. Ellis, David Snow, Solomon Tib-
bies, Gideon Tyler, Jehial Clark, Joseph Parish, B. C.
Staats, Moses Bodell, Benjamin Phelphs, the school-
master, Harry Freeman, Thomas Braim, a shoe maker,
and Zenas Goodrich, tavern keeper. The latter had
erected a building at the corner of North and Garden
streets and was running a tavern.

At this time the ring of the woodchopper's axe filled
the place of the factory whistles of the present day.
Woodchopping was a legitimate industry and occupied
the time and energy of many citizens who became a tower
of strength in the making and building of the town.

30 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Meanwhile, the mail was brought to the community
once a week, usually by a postman on horseback. In
1804 the mails arrived twice a week and by the year 1808
the Genesee Turnpike was the scene of a daily stage line.

From this time on until the coming of the steam rail-
roads the great Genesee Turnpike was thickly set with
taverns of all kinds along the way. Auburn, as it de-
veloped and first-class hotels were erected, became a
favorite rendezvoux for travelers and prospective settlers
in the community. About this time a log bridge was
constructed across the outlet where the steel bridge now
is on North street. Prior to this the only means of cross-
ing was by fording the stream with teams or walking
across on the trunks of a fallen tree. North street then
did not run direct to Genesee, as at present; it took a
detour toward the west to avoid the steep approach to
the latter street and thus intersected Genesee near where
the first Bostwick tavern was located. A few years later,
Genesee street having been reduced to proper grade,
North street was straightened to conform with its present
course.

Abner Beach, with his two sons, Joseph and Peter,
and two daughters, located in the village in February
1800. Mr. Beach bought a considerable tract of land
on Franklin street hill and erected there a large frame
residence. This marked the opening of another beautiful
residential section of the village, which has also become
thickly populated.

pBy this date too several mills of various kinds were
established along the outlet. In 1800 Aaron Hay den

-a i ~, ' jA.

f'^-^ir^'i^-.i

THE OLD ACADEMY

Erected in 1827

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 31

erected a considerable distance north of the settlement
a fulling mill, which grew finally into a prosperous in-
dustry. The same year Daniel and William Miller built
a similar mill in what was called Owasco. Barney Camp-
bell the same year built a distillery on the bank of the out-
let. Campbell did a thriving business in this line and
became a citizen of considerable importance in the life
of the community. J

SCHOOLS, 1796 TO lYl.S

In the matter of schools, in pioneer days, there was
unanimity of sentiment among the settlers, and schools
multiplied in all sections as the population increased.
These schools were essentially crude and inefficient in
many respects, yet they were a means in the direction
of education, in which all were interested. Many boys
and girls it is true received in these early schools all the
education they ever had, yet with this indifferent school
training they became good and useful citizens.

The first log school house on North street was primarily
an important institution. The few pupils in attendance
received there wholesome instruction under the rigid
Benjamin Phelps and later under Dr. Hackaliah Burt.
By 1799 the section of the settlement, which was strug-
gling to become known as Clarkville, took steps also for
the erection of a school. It was located at the corner of
the present West Genesee and Garrow streets, this being
near the colony of settlers. The school grew from year
to year as the residents increased in numbers, and finally
a substantial frame building was erected. A modern city
school stands upon the same site today.

32 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

About the same time a frame school building was
erected at the present east corner of Genesee and South
streets. This, however, was before North and South
streets were straightened and the steep hill graded down.
When this work was in process and the streets finally-
straightened, the little school house, it developed, was in
the middle of South street, so it was moved to the south-
west corner of Genesee and South streets. South street,
however, was not yet formally opened. The first teacher
of this school was a Dr. Steadman, a man of some learn-
ing and a teacher who conducted the school with the
most rigorous rules of discipline. David Buck succeeded
Dr. Steadman as master of the school, and later Benjamin
Phelps, master of the original North street school, became
the preceptor of this school. The school was finally
abandoned, and the building, a little one and a half story
structure, was converted into a store.

In 1801 another district school was located on the
north side of Franklin street near the present Fulton street.
This was a log building also, and like the others, had
pupils of all ages and grades of scholarship. Benjamin
Phelps presided over this school also for a time. He was
a teacher, it is said, with the qualities that make for
success. The school had the distinction at that time of
being the only one in the young village having a bell,
It was a large cowbell, which the teacher wielded to sum-
mon the pupils from the surrounding woods at the school
hour. This distinguishing feature clung to the locality,
so that later when a more modern school building was
erected there in 1818 it was for many years known as the

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 33

"bell school." This second school too was the only one
for some time to have a bell. The original cowbell school
building near the present Fulton school, was finally
converted into a dwelling.

It was early demonstrated that the little district or
primary schools were inadequate to meet the desire for
education. This condition, therefore, brought into exist-
ence a multiplicity of private schools of various kinds and
types. For the next succeeding fifty years these private
or select schools were in many sections of the village,
besides others in the outlying districts, many of them
schools of note, doing efficient work in academic educa-
tion.

The occupation as teacher in a small school, in an almost
unbroken wilderness, was not particularly pleasant or
lucrative. If the number of pupils was small, and com-
pensation equitably commensurate, ready cash among
the settlers was still less visible. Teachers in the condi-
tion of things not only "boarded around" but often were
compelled to take payment for their services in such
farm products as the settlers could raise in the limited
clearings.

The unsatisfactory status of educational affairs brought
into existence also a few years later the Auburn Academy.
This, unfortunately, had a desultory career for a period
of years, yet it finally developed into an institution of
efficiency and value to the community.

The select schools of the village, however, had their
beginning in 1813 when a Mr. Maxwell opened a private
school in a room of the Irwin & Goodrich tavern, which

34 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

was located on Genesee street east of the outlet. As to
its period of existence or the degree of success attained
there is no record.

There was at about the same time a parish school
connected with St. Peters church. It occupied a small
building standing in the church yard. The school was
conducted for a time by a Mr. Mott, who afterwards
married Betsy Bostwick, daughter of William Bostwick.
The building later became a printing office.

A little later Miss Almira Bennett kept a school in an
upstairs room over the store at the location now occupied
by the Allen book store. It is said to have continued for
a considerable period of time. Miss Bennett later
established Harmony Retreat, the girls' school at the
foot of Owasco lake.

HARMONY RETREAT

About 1820 or 1821 the Misses Bennett, sisters, started
a female boarding school at the foot of Owasco lake, near
the present Sand Beach church. It was called "Har-
mony Retreat." The Misses Bennett were young
women of ability as teachers, and possessed also, it is
said, the essential qualifications for the successful conduct
of a school of this character. As a boarding school for
girls it drew pupils from a wide radius of country.
They taught, in addition to the usual branches, English
literature, plain and ornamental needlework, painting,
drawing and music. The school had throughout its
career the earnest endorsement of the Rev. Dr. D. C.
Lansing, then pastor of the First Presbyterian church.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 35

Harmony Retreat continued until the late thirties. Miss
Almira Bennett afterward married Dr. Joseph Clary.

SPRINGSIDE SCHOOL

Several years later another school of high standing was
established in the same community. It was about 1850
that Rev. Samuel R. Brown, D.D., was called to the
pastorate of Sand Beach church, and it was at the beginn-
ing of his connection with the church that he established
Springside School for boys. It was ideally located in a
sumptuous grove skirting the highway along the lake,
and only a short distance from the church.

Dr. Brown was a man of superior education and a
high order of ability, with great strength of character.
He was a strong preacher and a good teacher. Spring-
side School attained reputation and attracted pupils
from many sections of th€ country. It w^as a very well
equipped school, having a competent corps of teachers
and ample accommodations for boarding. Dr. Brown
carried on the school during the years of his pastorate
of Sand Beach church, which terminated about 1857 or
1858. At this time he went as the first missionary from
the United States to Japan.

Dr. Brown was succeeded in the principalship of Spring-
side School by Mr. Hastings, who conducted it for some
time. He in turn was followed by Mr. Henry W. Dwight.
Finally the organization and development of graded
schools with their advantages for education, Springside,
like others of its kind, went out of existence.

36 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Mr. Calvin Huson, who was a law student in the office
of Hon. William H. Seward about 1825, had, during this
time, a boys' school on Genesee street. Mr. Huson
afterward married Miss Miller, a cousin of the wife of
Secretary Seward. At the breaking out of the Civil War
Mr. Huson enlisted from Rochester, was taken prisoner
at Bull Run, and died in iVndersonville prison.

THE FEMALE SEMINARY

Among the many schools that had vogue in the village
of Auburn, there likely was none that had a stronger
footing or was more popular than the Female Seminary,
which was located at the corner of West Genesee and
Washington streets. It occupied a charming position
at the summit of the west hill; it had ample grounds
with a wide reach of lawn and trees on every side. In
early times this place was an Indian camping ground.
The building was a substantial and attractive structure,
erected by Robert Dill for a residence about 1809, and
on account of its prominent location, was generally known
as "Mount House." The Female Seminary was opened
in 1837 by a corporation under the name of the Female
Seminary Association.

In departmental equipment and teaching force it was
prepared to do efficient work in educating girls and young
ladies. The first principal and preceptress were Mr.
and Mrs. E. Hosmer, people of education and refinement,
with a high sense of their respective duties. They
continued at the head of the school for several years, and
were succeeded in the early forties by John H. Wilson.

, :-i^^V *

1 puBUi; •■U;-^"'^'^^ I

,-,\/ sM0 B

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 37

After Principal Wilson, came Mr. Scribner, or "Old
Scrib," as the students were pleased to call him. Mr.
Scribner conducted the Seminary for five years, and was
followed by the Rev. Mr. Rudd. Rev. Jeremiah W.
Walcott succeeded Mr. Rudd and continued as principal
until fire destroyed the building.

The Seminary enjoyed during these years a consider-
able degree of prosperity. Its pupils came not only
from among the best families of the village and county,
but from many different states. The courses of study,
including both music and art, were of sufficient scope to
insure a very fair measure of education, together with
culture and finish in the fine arts. Among the members
of the teaching force during the Seminary's existence
were Miss Clara Dickinson, Miss Townsend, Miss Bod-
man, Miss Ruth Bussey, and Mr. Desflats, who taught
the French language.

The Seminary building was destroyed by fire in 1849
and thus brought to an unhappy close a popular educa-
tional institution of the village.

There are very few of the former pupils of the Seminary
now living in Auburn. The surviving members, how-
ever, are: Mrs. Mary West Morse, Miss Mary S. Bacon,
Miss Sarah M. Muir, Mrs. Helen Mills Starr, Mrs. Ellen
Bacon Griswold, Mrs. Mary Arne Wallais, and Mrs.
Cornelia Barbor McNeil.

The unfortunate going out of the Female Seminary
seems to have been the inspiration for the starting of
many private schools in the village.

38 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Miss Townsend, a former teacher in the Seminary,
soon opened a select school in quarters over the post
office, which was then located on Genesee Street, about
where now stands the Cayuga County National Bank
building.

Rev. Milton H. Waldo also started a school for boys
in a room of the Auburn Savings Bank building. This
school ran about two years.

Miss Charlotte Fosgate from 1852 and on for several
years, kept a private school on North street.

Miss Mary S. Bacon, for a considerable period of
time, taught a private school on State street, and also
on Grover street, in the house which is now the residence
of Mr. John W. Rice. Miss Phoebe Coffin had a school
on the same street.

Mrs. Sarah Pain Bacon taught a select school for some
time beginning in 1833 on West Genesee street, in a
building then standing on the site of the present City
Club.

Miss Mary E. Jenks conducted a school for several
years in the basement of the Universalist church, and
at the same time Miss Aseneth Wheaton had a school in
the opposite end of the church basement.

In 1817 Noble D. Strong, who had been for a short

time principal of the Auburn Academy, opened a private

school under the name of the Auburn Latin School.

«^ Mr. C. Ten Eyck in 1818 also kept a select school in a

building on East Genesee street near the Coe taverii.

In February, 1818, Mr. William C. Colton started a
school in the yellow building standing on the present

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 39

City Hall site. This was probably in the building first
occupied by James O'Brien's store.

Rev. John C. Rudd established a female school in
connection with the Auburn Academy in the early years
of that institution's existence.

Miss Julia Ferris in 1866 to 1867 had a private school
over Sutton's drug store on Genesee street, where the
Bell Telephone Company's office is now located. After
one year it was moved to the corner of Water and Dill
streets. Miss Gertrude L. Stone then became an assist-
ant teacher in the school.

The first private kindergarten was started in the early
eighties by Miss Bruin. The school had a large number
of little folks from the best families in the city. The
kindergarten met with a good degree of success for some
time.

Miss Murray ran a select school on Seminary avenue
near Holley street from 1848 to the late fifties. It was
mainly a girls' school and enjoyed much popularity.

A Miss Powell conducted a select school in the basement
of the Second Presbyterian church in the early fifties.

The Female Institute, another school that attained
popularity and good success through an existence of
more than thirty years, was started in 1854 by Mr.
Winthrop Tappan. He opened the school in the old
Corning Hall block, which stood on the site of the present
Burtis Auditorium. The following year Mr. Tappan
was joined by Mortimer L. Browne and they together
established the Auburn Young Ladies' Institute. Sub-
sequent to this the Institute was quartered in the City

40 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Hall building, but the school soon outgrew the accom-
modations and so the class rooms and most of the depart-
ments of the institution were located in the Knight block
on North street adjoining the First Presbyterian church.
In 1858 Mr. Tappan withdrew from the Institute, and
thence forward it was carried on by Mr. Browne.

In 1859 Mr. Browne purchased the Goodwin-Underwood
residence on the east side of North street, a very sightly
location at the summit of the street, with large grounds
and pleasant surroundings. This served as the boarding
and living place of the foreign pupils, of which there were
a large number. The school attracted a good class of
students, having from time to time some who after-
wards became more or less noted in various fields of effort.
Mrs. Leslie Carter was for a considerable time a student
at the Institute. There were also pupils from many of
the most prominent families in the city. The Institute
continued with much public favor until 1888, at which
time it went out of existence.

THE AUBURN ACADEMY

The story of the schools begins again back in 1810, for
that year marked the movement for the founding of the
Auburn Academy.

This institution came into existence under auspices
that augured well for its continued success. It had the
earnest support of the best citizens in the village, men
who appreciated education and desired to establish an
academy having the scope of a full college preparatory
school. These citizens subscribed liberally to the build-

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 41

ing and equipment fund and in all ways gave aid to the
project. Yet in spite of this the Academy's early career
was one of many "ups and downs," at times, in fact, it
was quite "down and out."

The village then had not more than four or five hundred
population but it was growing from year to year by acces-
sions of substantial and progressive citizens. At the
first meeting in the fall of 1810 to consider the proposition,
a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions to a
building fund, the shares in the fund to be twenty dollars
each. William Bostwick, Dr. Hackaliah Burt, and
David Brinkerhoff were named a committee to secure
the amount necessary to go forward with the under-
taking. Two hundred and five shares were soon taken
and on the fifth day of December of that year the projec-
tors proceeded to effect an organization, known as the
Auburn School Association. The first board of trustees
were Elijah Miller, David Buck, David Hyde, Noah
Olmstead, Joseph L. Richardson, John H. Cumpston,
John Sawyer, Jehial Clark, and David Horner. Robert
Dill then contributed five acres and three-ciuarters of
land along the present Garden street. In consideration
of this transfer of land, Mr. Dill received fifty shares
of the association.

Early in February, 1811, Jehial Clark and Bradley
Tuttle were given the contract for the construction of the
academy building, a wooden structure about 40 by 60
feet, two stories. The building fronted on North street
and cost about four thousand dollars. The building was
ready for occupancy early in February, 1812, but there

42 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

were no teachers. Some time was consumed, it seems,
in securing teachers, for the school opening took place
June 15th following. Mr. J. Foote became the first
principal, and as to the number of students at the beginn-
ing, there is no record available. The tuition, as an-
nounced, was $3.00 and $4.00 each quarter. The Lan-
casterian system was to be the vogue.

Mr. Foote's services as principal, however, covered
but a brief period, although it appears to have been a
busy engagement, for he not only taught the pupils but
he looked after the school building and collected the
tuition, and this was not an easy task in those days.

A Mr. Dutton succeeded Principal Foote, and ap-
parently Mr. Dutton found the proposition no more of a
sinecure than did his predecessor. Meanwhile, in
January, 1813, a partially new board of trustees was
elected as follows: E. T. Throop, Horace Hills, Elijah
Miller and David Horner. In February, 1815, the
School Association or academy was incorporated by the
Regents of the State of New York. Noble D. Strong, a
very competent teacher, it seems, had succeeded Mr.
Dutton as head of the school. The crowning trouble,
however, came to the struggling school when the building
was destroyed by fire in the early spring of 1816.

The x4.cademy was opened in October following in rooms
in the Van Anden block on Genesee street, next to where
the Cayuga County National Bank building stands.
Thus it went on under several different preceptors and as
many locations until finally a long period of suspended
animation fell upon it, which came near to being its
finish.

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 43

In 1822 the school was revived under Noble D. Strong
as principal again. Yet there was no building and very
little if any equipment for carrying on the work. And
so it went on intermittently until 1827 when the project
took concrete form under new inspiration and well
defined plans for an academy embodying the original
ideas, together with the advanced modes of education. In
the year above mentioned a new brick academy building
was erected on the academy green, where now stands the
high school building. The school opened anew under
Rev. John C. Rudd, a man of ability and some learning.
From that time on the Academy was an efficient and
valuable institution of learning. Finally in 1866 it was
taken over by the city and became a part of the public
school system.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OP AUBURN

The free school system of Auburn dates from 1850.
An act passed on the tenth day of April that year author-
ized the organization of the Union free schools. The
several district schools, in pursuance of this, were consoli-
dated and thenceforward were operated under a board of
education as authorized by the act. There was no
provisions in the act, however, for the establishment of
a high school. The Academy served as the high school,
although it afforded no means for the academic education
of the female pupils of the city.

But the school system continued thus until 1866
when another act re-organized the whole system and
provided for a high school. The Academy, after much

44 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

contention and strenuou^ oppositions on the part of
many citizens, then became the City High School. A
question here arose in connection with the matter of
turning the Academy over to the city. The land upon
which it stood and which was the gift of Robert Dill,
by the terms of the transfer, compelled its use for an
academy, otherwise the trustees of the Academy faced
forfeiture action. In order to obviate this the new
high school was chartered as the Academic High School
and it so remains.

The act of 1866 abolished the office of City Superin-
tendent of Common Schools and gave greater power to
the board of education. Warren Higby was the first
superintendent of the city schools and principal of the
high school, under the new act beginning in 1866. He
served until 1868, and was succeeded by E. A. Charlton
1868 and 1869. In 1870 Benjamin B. Snow was ap-
pointed to the office of superintendent and served with
marked ability and efficiency until 1900. Clinton S.
Marsh succeeded Mr. Snow in 1901 and remained until
1905. Alfred E. Thompson 1905-1910; Henry D.
Hervey, 1910, now serving.

The principals of the high schools since 1870 have been.
1870-1878 John L. Myer; 1878-1879 Charles R. Wil-
liams; 1879-1881 Byron Walls; 1881-1883, E. T. Tom-
linson; 1883-1886, George R. Cutting; 1886-1893,
William P. Thomson; 1893-1894, Warrington Sommers;
1894, Floyd D. Bartlett who is still serving. Higley and
Charlton acted also as superintendent of schools.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 45

The following have been presidents of the Board of
Education since 1870 the year given indicating the close
of each presidents terra of office. Up to this year the
mayors of the city were president of the board. 1870
J. M. Hurd; 1871, Eli Gallup; 1872, Miles Perry; 1873,
Charles R. Williams; 1874, D. H. Schoonmaker; 1875,
Theodore M. Pomeroy; 1876, Byron C. Smith; 1877,
Charles S. Trowbridge; 1878, Oscar F. Knapp; 1879,
John T. M. Davie; 1880, Miles Perry; 1881, Sereno E.
Payne; 1882, Sereno E. Payne; 1883, George Under-
wood; 1884, George Underwood; 1885, James Kerr;
1886, Fred H. Fay; 1887, Wni. J. Moses; 1888, Thomas
M. Osborne; 1889, Thomas M. Osborne; 1890, George
F. Wills; 1891, Frederic E. Storke; 1892, John W. O'Brien;
1893, Fred H. Parker; 1894, Wni. J. Moses; 1895, John
W. O'Brien; 1896, O. Clifford Hall; 1897, Joseph C.
Anderson; 1898, Edgar B. Mosher; 1899, Charles B.
Quick; 1900, E. Clarence Aiken; 1901, George B.
Turner; 1902, Frank W. Richardson; 1903, John E.
Myer; 1904, John E. Myer; 1905, John Van Sickle;
1906, Wm. H. Seward, Jr.; 1907, Chas. Hoskins; 1908,
Arthur S. Hoyt; 1909, D. L. Ramsey; 1910, C. E.
Almy; 1911, Wm. F. Garling; 1912, Charles F. Lyons;
1913, H. L. Reed.

The present high school building, a handsome and roomy
structure, was completed in 1888. There are at present
fourteen public schools all of modern construction and
equipment, with a well organized and efficient system of
city schools.

CHAPTER III

HISTORICAL NOTES AND EARLY TAVERNS

jANY events of interest and importance oc-
curred in the Hardenbergli community
during the decade beginning in 1800.

Bradley Tuttle, in 1801, became a resi-
dent of the settlement and cleared a good
part of the land along Genesee street, the property of
William Bostwick. Tuttle, a little later, bought the
Zenas Goodrich tavern and was its landlord for some
time. He also became an active and prominent builder
in the village.

Daniel Grant, who built and opened the first black-
smith shop on North street, also started the first trip-
hammer forge in the village. It was located at the corner
of Genesee street and Lumber lane, now Osborne street.
In 1803 and 1808 several colored people who had been
slaves were freed. Peter Hughes, the first County Clerk,
is said to have had two of them, both of whom were set
free. It is stated also that Harry Freeman, a slave who
accompanied Col. Hardenbergh to the proposed settle-
ment, afterward became a barber and worked at the
business many years in the village. The truth of this
statement, however, is not vouched for.

The year 1802 brought to the community several
valuable residents, namely, Capt. Edward Stevenson,

HON. ELIJAH MILLER

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 47

who soon after erected a home on the east side of North
street. Besides, there were Ichabod Marshall and
Philip and Gideon Jenkins, millwrights. The two
latter were valuable assets to the community at that
period, when mills of various kinds were being erected and
put into operation.

But the years 1806 and 1807 brought a still greater
number of strong citizens, some of whom afterwards
became prominent as manufacturers, merchants and
in the professions. Samuel D. Lockwood was the first
lawyer to settle in the village. There were also George
Leitch, merchant, Capt. Edward Allen, who became a
manufacturer, Horace Hills, another merchant, Jonathan
Russell, a silversmith. Park Camp, a millwright, Reuben
Swift, a miller, and Daniel Lounsbury, who became more
or less active in public life.

Almost at the same time the population was augmented
by the arrival of David Brinkerhoff, Reuben Porter,
Elijah Jarvis, Elisha T. Swift, and Peter Hughes, who
became a citizen of more than ordinary account, being
the first county clerk at the new county seat at a time
when the public records, for lack of a more suitable
place, were kept at his home to insure safety. There
were also Dr. Joseph Cole, John Wagstaff, a copper-
smith, Capt. William Clark and Benjamin Yard. But
the two men who located in the village about this time
and who filled a conspicuous place in the after affairs of
the village, county and state, were Elijah Miller and Col.
John Richardson.

48 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

HON. ELIJAH MILLER

Although Judge Miller's settlement in Auburn did not
occur until 1808 or 1809, still he was a pioneer in the
county less than two years after Col. John L. Harden-
bergh drove the stakes for his cabin at the junction of
the present Franklin and Market streets.

Mr. Miller was not yet 23 when he made his way through
the forest to the present Cayuga county. This was in
January, 1795, according to the memorandum made by
him in his later years, and less than a year also after
Onondaga county was erected from Herkimer. He
states that he traveled westward from Utica on foot,
following the very tortuous trail. Hardenbergh's cabin
was the only white man's habitation then on the site of
Auburn.

Judge Miller's objective point was Aurora, then the
largest settlement in the country, having about twenty
families. Here he entered the ofBce of Judge Walter
Wood as a student and remained there until he was
admitted to practise in the Court of Common Pleas in
1798.

Romulus, on the opposite side of Cayuga lake, was
then a struggling settlement and to this place the young
barrister went to begin the practice of his profession.
After two years, however, he quit Romulus and located
at Cayuga village, as this place offered greater possibil-
ities for professional work on account of the courts
that were held there. Cayuga village up to 1808 was
larger than Auburn. Mr. Miller continued in the practise
at Cayuga until 1809, at which time he cast his lot in the

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 49

new county seat, and from that time on he was a part of
Auburn, a factor in its making and an influential figure in
public affairs.

Judge Miller was born April 11, 1772, at Bedford, West-
chester County, N. Y. He was of English stock and
Quaker parentage. His parents were Capt. Josiah and
Paulina Titus Miller; Josiah Miller, although a Quaker in
religious faith served as captain in the War of the Revolu-
tion, and was also a zealous member of what was known
as the "Committee of Safety." His love of liberty and of
his country were paramount and he, therefore, heartily
took up arms in the cause of freedom.

Judge Miller's early education consisted mainly of
instruction by his mother and later two years spent at
Williamstown Academy, Williamstown, Mass. While a
student at Williamstown, Mr. Miller met Miss Hannah
Foote, whom he married January 1, 1800, the year that
he began practise at Cayuga.

In October, 1802, Mr. Miller was admitted to practise
in the Supreme Court of the State. He soon became
one of the successful lawyers of western New York.
He was counsel and attorney in many of the noted cases
in the higher courts. He was a strong lawyer, had a
high sense of honor, and throughout his professional
career he had the confidence and respect of all who knew
him. When the question of establishing a permanent
county seat for Cayuga county arose, Mr. Miller was one
of the earnest advocates of Auburn as the proper location.
Apparently he read the horoscope of the future metropolis
of the County.

50 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

In 1809 Judge Miller moved to Auburn and established
himself in the practise of the law. The following year he
erected a residence on the east side of South street, between
the Second Presbyterian church and the present Universa-
list church. Here he maintained for several years a
law office in connection with his residence. Mrs. Miller
died in 1811, leaving two daughters, Lazette Maria and
Frances, Miss Lazette Maria later became the wife of
Mr. Alvah Warden and the second, Frances, married
Secretary William H. Seward.

In 1813 Mr. Miller was made Clerk of the Council of
Appointment, a position which he filled with marked
ability for two years. In 1816 he was one of the State
Commissioners to select a site for the State Prison. The
following year he was appointed as the first judge of the
Court of Common Pleas of Cayuga county. During
his six years official service he distinguished himself as an
able lawyer and jurist. His opinions on legal questions
were regarded as sound and his decisions were rarely
reversed by the higher courts.

In 1816 Judge Elijah Miller erected in South street the
residence which is now the most historic private residence
in western New York. It was the home of Secretary
Sevrard from 1825 until his death in 1872, and is the
residence of Gen. Seward, his son, at this time.

Judge Miller was actively identified with all enterprises
which had for their object the betterment of Auburn.
He was one of the main supporters and contributors to
the building and maintenance of the old academy, and he,
in company with John H. Beach in 1714 projected and

COL. JOHN RICHARDSON

I

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 51

built the first cotton mill in Auburn. He was also one
of the promoters of the Owasco Canal in the early twenties.
He was active and foremost in the promotion and build-
ing of the early railroads, and in every other measure
for the public good. In 1823 he formed a law partner-
ship with his son-in-law, Hon. William H. Seward, which
continued many years.

Judge Miller died in Auburn Nov. 13, 1851, after a life
full of activity, full of honor, standing high in the esteem
of the thousands who knew him and appreciated his
worth as a citizen,

COL. JOHN RICHARDSON

Auburn, in its early formative period, was signally
fortunate in attracting citizens who, most of them,
worked out great problems for the town's development
and betterment industrially and commercially. Col,
John Richardson was in this class. His was one of the
early industries of the village; it filled an important place,
in fact, the main feature of the business which he estab-
lished remains in its integrity now, after more than one
hundred years since its foundation.

Col. Richardson located in Auburn in 1809, coming
direct from Marietta, Ohio, where he had been engaged
in business along a similar line, in which he had inclination
and training. He was born in Maryland in 1780, and
there learned the trade of cabinet-maker. After com-
pleting his apprenticeship to the trade, and while yet a
young man, Mr. Richardson went where he believed
greater opportunities presented for expansion and the

52 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

working out of the success he desired. After six or
seven years, however, he, hke many others, was attracted
to Auburn, where he settled and at once engaged in the
manufacture of furniture. His first cabinet shop was on
the east side of South street where he carried on a success-
ful business for many years.

While at Marrietta, Mr. Richardson was brought in
direct contact with Aaron Burr, the arch traitor and
conspirator against the Government. Burr was there
seeking to raise an army which he planned to take down
the Mississippi River and found his new republic. Burr
tendered Mr. Richardson the captaincy of a company
as an inducement to join the conspiracy. Mr. Richard-
son had higher and more loyal aims, however, and there-
fore left Burr to meet the fate which finally overtook him.

Mr. Richardson was the pioneer in furniture making
in the western part of the State of New York. Although
the facilities were crude, he turned out good furniture and
thus built up a wide sale for his goods. When the War
of 1812 came on, Mr. Richardson was one of the first to
enlist in the service. Gov. Tompkins commissioned him
Captain of a company which was mustered in Cayuga
County. For a time his company was quartered in
Auburn, but was soon called into service at Buffalo, and
there they took an active part in the battles of Fort Erie
and Lundy's Lane, both he and his Indian Rifle Corps
doing valiant service. Col. Richardson served until the
close of the War, returning to Auburn in the Spring of
1815. He at once resumed the business of furniture
making and from that time on he was a leader in the

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 53

business. He was also active in State militia affairs and
in recognition of his valuable services in connection there-
with, he was commissioned as Colonel by the Governor
of New York. It was in 1815, at the close of his military
service that he married Miss Roberts of Cayuga. Col.
Richardson then erected a home on South street where
he lived until his death. G. W. Richardson, the present
head of the business which the Colonel founded, is his
surviving son.

Col. Richardson was a close friend and admirer of
Secretary Seward and gave him valuable support in his
campaign for Governor in 1838 and was equally zealous
in his support of William H. Harrison for president in the
campaign of 1840. He was ever loyal to Auburn and its
best interests, as he was to his personal friends, of whom
he had many.

Col. Richardson was a descendent of the pioneer,
Samuel Richardson, who settled in Maryland in 1662.
Col. Richardson died in 1849, having spent a busy and
useful life.

NATHANIEL GARROW

Nathaniel Garrow joined the Hardenbergh settlement
about 1800. He had very little money but he possessed
great vigor and an ambition to achieve something. He
chopped wood and cleared land for those who had it to
be cleared. Soon Mr. Garrow purchased the triangular
piece of land bounded by North and Genesee streets and
the Outlet. He erected a distillery on the bank of the
stream, did a thriving business and made money. He did

54 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

much for the betterment of the young town; was active
in all public measures that embodied progress and up-
building.

In 1813 Mr. Garrow purchased the farm in West Genesee
street then owned by the Rev. Mr. Higgins and erected
that year one of the handsomest residences along the
street. From this time on he occu'pied a prominent place
in various business enterprises in the village and was also
active in political affairs. He was honored with many
offices by the townspeople and later was elected to repre-
sent the district in Congress. He was a valuable citizen
for Auburn and a capable, honest official.

John Garrow, brother of Nathaniel, settled at Half
Acre in 1796 and opened a store on the Genesee Turnpike,
or the "Mud Pike," as it was called in early times.

Col. Hardenbergh in 1804, built a fulling mill on the
bank of the Outlet adjoining his gristmill. This was run
for a time by Ashbel Treat, and afterwards by Levi
Gregory, and later still by Gideon G. Jenkins.

Col. Hardenbergh, it is said, had no element of personal
vanity in his composition. He did things sanely and
substantially but without ostentation. Yet the story is
told of his once having a picture of himself drawn upon
the inner side of his mill door.

One of the early time itinerant artists came along one
day and proposed to draw with pencil a life-like portrait
of the pioneer. Finally a bargain was made to the effect
that the artist was to receive as compensation for the work
his dinner plus twenty-five cents. Neither the artist
or Col. Hardenbergh had a piece of paper suitable for the

1 ^:

■W-'Ti-T---

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 55

work, much to the disappointment of the artist. But a
compromise was effected by which the portrait was to
be drawn on the mill door. It is said further that the
picture for several years thereafter adorned the inner
side of the Hardenbergh mill door.

In 1806, thirteen years after founding the town, Col.
Hardenbergh died. He had seen the place grow from
merely the selected site for his first cabin into a thrifty
community. He had been the foremost figure in its
making thus far. One year previous to this he had been
a party to the movement for changing the name of his
embryo city from Hardenbergh Corners to that of Auburn.
His career closed at the age of sixty.

Colonel and Mrs. Hardenbergh and their daughter,
Marian, were first buried in the North Street Cemetery.
After the opening of Fort Hill Cemetery the bodies were
transferred to the Hardenbergh lot in this cemetery.

The following are the records upon the head stones at
Fort Hill:

"John L. Hardenbergh, died April 23, 1806, at the age
of 60."

"Martina Brinkerhoff Hardenbergh, died May 21, 1843,
aged 70."

"John H. Hardenbergh, their son, born March 20, 1798,
died June 11, 1862."

"Maria, their daughter, died Sept. 21, 1824, age 24."

During the immediate succeeding years from 1803
there were many changes in business projects and also
many additions, both in mercantile and industrial
lines.

56 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

John Cumpston became a resident of the village and
purchased the original James O'Brien store located on
the present City Hall grounds. He carried on the busi-
ness there for some time. He also became prominent
in other lines.

Silos Hawley was another settler in 1803. He was a
tanner by trade, and, therefore, soon added another
tannery to those already in operation.

Reuben and Seth Burgess, hatters, joined the colony
in 1804. They started a work shop and store at the
corner of East Genesee street and Seminary avenue.
They were thrifty and soon built a residence on Genesee
street near their store.

Lyman Payne and Jacob Doremus came also in 1804.
Payne started an ashery above the outlet near the site
now occupied by the Cayuga County National Bank.
Doremus built another tannery and a store east of Payne's
ashery. In 1812 Robert Muir bought the ashery and
carried on the business several years.

Jeremiah O'Callahan had the distinction of building
about 1806 the first stone house in the community. It
was located on a lane, as it was then called, but it later
became Seminary avenue. It was on the west side of
the lane, a little north of Franklin street. This house
was soon replaced, however, by another of a different
type.

John Demarre and Ephraim Lockhart in 1804 built a
cabinet shop, which was torn down two years later to
give place to a tavern, the Farmers Inn, a two story
building.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 57

In 1805 Frederick Young opened a goldsmith shop on
Genesee street. He was succeeded a little later by
Joseph Davis, and in 1814 the business passed to Jonathan
Russell who continued in the business for quite a period
of time.

Henry Ammerman, who seems to have occupied a more
or less conspicuous place in the affairs of the village, was a
settler in 1804 also. First he was a farmer in the Owasco
Lake region, but through his close relations with Col.
Hardenbergh, he was drawn to the village. He built
the old Farmers Inn and was its landlord for quite a period
of time. In 1816 Mathias Hoffman purchased the Inn and
he was succeeded later by Timothy Strong. Ammerman,
it is said, was a man of clean character and in all respects
a useful citizen.

Although there were hatters and silversmiths and gold-
smiths in town, it was 1805 before a real tailor opened a
shop. William Cox was his name, and he seems to have
done a prosperous trade in the little town. Another hat
store was opened this year by Anselem S. Howland.
This was a little west of Demarre's tavern, near Henry
Polhemus' store. Folhemus was also a miller. John
Walker had by this time joined Silas Hawley and they
erected the first carding mill on the Outlet, a short distance
above Col. Hardenbergh's dam.

In 1805 or 1806 Robert and John Patty opened a
general store on Lumber lane, now Osborne street, a little
distance from Genesee street. It was a frame building
constructed with green lumber which shrank so much, it
is said, that thieves pulled the goods out through the

58 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

cracks. The Patty's in 1807 built a tannery and an
ashery, both of which were successful industries.

ROBERT MUIR

It was 1806 when Robert Muir, then a boy of sixteen,
dropped down in x\uburn to work out his destiny along
with the other active and progressive men who were not
alone the makers of their own fortune but the makers
and builders of the town in the early period of its life.

Robert Muir was of Scotch birth, born in Kilwinney,
Scotland, in 1790. He located in Auburn the year after
his arrival in this country. By hardy industry and
thrift he was a merchant by the time he arrived at full
manhood. A little later he became a manufacturer and
built up an extensive and successful business. He
erected the buildings, or a part of them, now occupied
by the Nye & Wait Carpet Works. There was a con-
siderable community established in that section of the
village, and Muir's bed ticking factory gave employment
to many people. The place was then known as Hackney,
and some now living remember it as bearing that
name.

Throughout his career, it is said, Mr. Muir's honor and
integrity were never questioned. He was generous and
ever ready to help others as well as every enterprise and
project that made for the advancement of the town.
He gave aid liberally to worthy causes and was an earnest
supporter of the struggling church societies in the village
and city. He was closely identified with St. Peters church
and was one of the society's most valued officers.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 59

In 1822 Mr. Muir married Miss Nancy Bennett,
daughter of Asel P. and Sarah Ensign Bennett, of Shef-
field, Mass. The Bennett family in 1814 also settled in
Auburn, and it was Miss Almira Bennett, sister of Mrs.
Muir, who later conducted the famous girls' school at the
foot of the Owasco lake.

Mr. Muir was popular among all classes in the village,
and no less so in the little community which his industry
had helped to build up. On account of this he was
styled the Duke of Hackney, sometimes called Hackney
Barney. Mr. Muir, at some time it is said, was a candi-
date for some elective office, anent which someone com-
posed a humorous song embodying something of the
old Scotch story which gives an account of posts erected
along the highway for scratching one's back. The closing
line in this song ran as follows: "O, stay at home and
scratch your back, Duke of Hackney Barney."

Mr. Muir early built a handsome residence on Grover
street where he lived for some time. The financial crash
of 1837 brought much disaster to many lines of business,
and Mr. Muir also sustained heavy losses, among them
his manufacturing interest. But he continued as a
merchant through the later years of his life. Mrs. Muir
died January 12, 1864, and Mr. Muir died February 17,
1868. The surviving members of the family are two
daughters. Miss Sarah M. and Miss Katherine S. Muir.

TAVERNS OF THE EARLY PERIOD

The taverns of one kind and another in the early period
were, in a more or less degree, important institutions in

60 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

the community. They somehow got closer to the people,
or the people got closer to them, at least they were not out
of harmony with the spirit and life of the time. They
were also to a great extent the forum where citizens col-
lected from time to time to discuss many topics, that of
religion, politics, current events, town affairs, and not
infrequently, the domestic affairs of the community.
On account of these relations and associations and the
personality of certain of their landlords, much interest
naturally centers in and about them.

The first little log tavern erected by Samuel Bristol in
1795, at what is now the corner of Genesee and North
street, marked an epoch in the history of Auburn. This
was not because it amounted to much as a hostelry but
it was a beginning and served the purpose at a time
when all little things were in truth big things. Bristol's
tavern, however, enjoyed not a long career. It ran a
period of twelve or fifteen years when it passed to Eleazer
Hills, who established there a grocery store.

The second tavern in the settlement was that of Wil-
liam Bostwick, built in 1798-1799. This was also a log
structure, somewhat larger than Bristol's, of course, but
having little more architectural beauty. It stood on the
north side of Genesee street, the site upon which later the
Beach block was erected. This crude hosterly had a
briefer existence than Bristol's, but was popular because
its landlord was popular and a conspicuous figure in the
affairs of the village.

In 1803 Mr. Bostwick began the erection of the frame
hotel at the corner of Genesee and Exchange streets.

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 61

It was completed in 1804. Bostwick's new tavern was
a large structure and a decided advance step in such
enterprises in western New York. It was, in a consider-
able degree, a famous hostelry from this time on for more
than half a century. Mr. Bostwick reigned as landlord
until 1816, and during this period did a prosperous busi-
ness and made a good name for his hotel.

Canfield Coe succeeded Mr. Bostwick as owner and
landlord and under him too the business still increased,
along with the popularity of the hotel. Mr. Coe greatly
enlarged the building and made many improvements
both inside and out. He continued as landlord eight
years, when he was succeeded by Emanuel Hudson in
1!B24. It was Hudson who named it ' 'Western Exchange,"
the name it bore from that time on to the last day of its
existence in 1868.

General Wood was landlord of the Western Exchange
for some time. He was a fat, puffy, "grouchy" individual,
weighing nearly 300 pounds. Yet he ran a good hotel,
and meanwhile waged an incessant warfare on his servants
and employees. It was quite his custom to discharge them
of a morning and re-engage them the following afternoon.

But the old Western Exchange during its career, housed
many persons of note from various latitudes, and each
succeeding landlord took unctious pride in maintaining
its standard. Benjamin Ashby was its landlord when
the hotel passed to give place to a modern block of stores
in 1868.

The Center House, located at the junction of East
Genesee and Market streets, was started in 1805 by

62 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

William Smith, who, it seems, failed to complete it.
David Horner then came into possession of the property
and finished the undertaking and opened the new hostelry
in 1806. He continued about six years and sold it to
Charles Reading, whose tenure lasted through four
years. He was followed by Silas Hawley who had a
brief reign as landlord. Then the good Deacon Henry
Ammerman bought it and lived to his published declara-
tion that he would run a first-class hotel. Ammerman
presided at the Center House until 1822.

The Center House enjoyed great local celebrity. It was
the focal point and headquarters for almost everything
and every movement undertaken by the townspeople.
In addition to being a hotel, it was the assembling place
for Sunday Schools, for church services and many other
functions of a religious character. The hotel maintained
a large assembly hall well suited for gatherings of this
kind, and for dances and public meetings during the
week. Both Judge Joseph Richardson and Gov. Enos T.
Throop had law offices in the building.

Andrew Brown succeeded Deacon Ammerman as land-
lord and ran the hotel until 1828, at which time Abijah
Keeler bought the property, and after a brief time Rod-
man Sergeant, the last landlord, assumed charge. The
Center House, however, had lived its life and served its
purpose. It was purchased about 1830 by Ezekiel
Williams, and was soon thereafter replaced by a block
of stores. The hotel building was moved to Fulton street
and became a residence.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 63

Another hostelry erected in 1806 was the Farmers' Inn,
of which mention was made in a previous paragraph.
Hudson, who bought the Farmers' Inn, later built the
Radney House, which became the Empire State.

Demarre's Tavern was built about 1817 or 1818. It
seems to have enjoyed a good degree of popularity. De-
marre was a popular man in the community and had a
wide acquaintance. This hostelry afterwards became the
National.

In 1808 Watrous Pomeroy built a hotel on the south
side of Genesee street, on the site of the present Exchange
block. Pomeroy conducted the hotel about two years,
when he sold it to Capt. Robert L. Tracy, who ran it as
the Powers Tavern. Tracy died in 1816 and Zenas
Goodrich became the landlord and changed the name to
that of the Goodrich Inn. A few years later it was
known as Griswold's Hotel, and still in 1825 it
assumed the name of Goodrich's Inn again. The
year 1835 marked the end of its life, however, for it
was then removed to give place to the original Exchange
block.

The old Lynch Coffee House, about 1817, was located
near the Bank of Auburn. A part of this became the
Parmelee Tavern. Smith and Parmelee became owners
of the Lynch Coffee House also and after Smith withdrew,
Parmelee continued it until his death.

In 1817 Isaac Lytle built a hotel opposite the prison
and ran it until 1828, when the hotel and an adjoining
building were destroyed by fire. The hotel was rebuilt
and burned down again several years later.

64 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

James Hickson in 1828 erected a hotel on the corner
where the old New York Central railroad freight house
later stood. This was first called the Red Tavern, but
later was known as Sadler's Hotel. There is no record
as to its period of existence.

As previously stated, Zenas Goodrich, in early times,
had a tavern at the corner of North and York streets
known as the Goodrich Inn. As late as 1829 it was known
as Champlain's Tavern.

John M. Daball in 1817 built a tavern at the corner of
West Genesee and Division streets. Daball seems to
have been succeeded by a Mr. Sexton whose terms of
occupancy is unknown. In the early times it appears
to have been a rendezvous for soldiers, for it is stated that
the 158th Regiment Militia was for some time quartered
there.

The Demarre block, erected in 1833 on Genesee street,
was in 1839 converted into a tavern. It was known as
the Auburn House. The first landlord of the Auburn
House was Horace A. Chase. It was a popular hostelry
for many years and did a prosperous trade. Many persons
of note also put up at the hotel at various times. Jenny
Lind quartered there when she visited Auburn in 1851.
In 1854 the Auburn House went out of existence and a
part of the building was occupied for a school. Two j-ears
later the building was burned, thus giving place later to a
block of stores.

The Old Bank Coffee House on Genesee street, a little
west of State street, was quite a distinguished hostelry
when Bacon & Maxwell were the proprietors from 1828

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 65

on for several years. The Coffee House was the head-
quarters at that time for the stage Hues going both east
and west. The old line mail, the Pilot, the Eagle and
Telegraph stage lines discharged their passengers at the
Coffee House.

The old Willard Tavern was built about 1810, on the
north side of Genesee street. Watrous Pomeroy was the
landlord for a considerable number of years, and Zadock
Hall also kept it for an equally long period of time. It
is said that during the War of 1812 a recruiting station
was located in the old hostelry, and many soldiers were
quartered there for several years. In 1827 Emery
Willard, the owner of the hotel, sold it to F. S. Glover and
soon thereafter the building was moved to Clark street.
This in part gave place for the building of the American.

The American House, opened January 1, 1830, for a
time filled as big a niche in the mind of the public as any
hostelry in Auburn. While its later years were not
especially brilliant, it had made a good history and
attracted many admirers.

The American was a substantial four story stone
building, with some touches of architectural beauty.
It stood on the site of the present Metcalf office building
on Genesee street. A Mr. Gambel was the first landlord
at the hotel, and. it is said, he held sway there for some
time.

Col. Sherwood for many years ran the stage lines and
his offices were at the American House. The stages, in
consequence, stopped at this hostelry which fact greatly
augmented its business and strengthened its popularity.

66 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Many distinguished persons put up at the American
during the early years. Daniel Webster, Millard Filmore
and the Hungarian patriot, Louis Kossuth, and others
were guests at the hotel.

The American had many different landlords during its
career, the last one being S. P. Chapman. In 1870 the
property was purchased by Anthony Shimer, who changed
the name to that of the St. James. The hotel had lost
prestige by this time and its patronage had waned b jyond
the profit limit. It burned in 1879, and thus passed
another of the noted hotels of Auburn.

There is still another early time tavern which is worthy
of special mention. It is that of the old Eleazer Hunter
road tavern, located in the present east end of the city
on Genesee street. When it was erected in 1798, it
stood in the woods, and probably there was no thought
then that it would some day be within the city limits.
It is a brick building and undoubtedly was the first
building erected of that material in Cayuga county. It
was kept as a hotel for nearly fifty years, or until the com-
ing of the steam railroads. It has many interesting
associations and an interesting history. An illustration
of the place appears in this volumn.

In the early times there was an enormously large elm
standing near this tavern, under which the Indians were
accustomed to gather for counsel and social intercourse.
The old Hunter Tavern was one of the stopping places
of the drovers when the cattle and other animals were
taken on foot to the eastern markets. The building is
still standing, with some changes, most of which are of the
interior.

OLD ST. PETER S CHURCH

CHAPTER IV

NOTES, PERSONS AND CHURCHES

ilN 1806 Robert Dill settled in Auburn. He
came from New York, where he married and
where for some years the Dill family had
lived. Ten years prior to his settlement in
the village Mr. Dill bought eleven hundred
acres of land, all of which is now within the city. He pur-
chased lot 37, six hundred acres, lying in the northwestern
section of the present city, also five hundred acres of lot
number forty-six which adjoined the six hundred acres on
the south. His land holdings, therefore, extended to the
north and south limits of the city.

Robert Dill was a man of marked force of character, pro-
gressive, broad minded and full of energy and enterprise.
He was a builder and a helper in every movement for the
advancement of the little village. He gave sites for
several early schools, among them that of the Auburn
Academy early in 1811, and the land upon which the
prison is now located was donated by his estate. He
erected a saw mill and aided in establishing other indus-
tries in town. The lumber for the building of the first
State street bridge was cut on his land and sawed at one of
his mills.

In 1809 Mr. Dill erected what was then styled a mansion
at the corner of West Genesee and Washington streets.

68 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Washington street was then nothing more than a lane, and
the present Fort street was a cow path. The Dill home
was situated at the summit of the ascent on the street and
was in consequence called "Mount House."

Robert Dill married in 1804 Miss Eliza Mapes, and for a
time after settling in Auburn the family lived on North
street. They had five children, Major John B., Caroline,
Deborah, James and Robert. Mr. Dill died Januarv 24,
1813, and sometime later his widow married Dr. Joseph T.
Pittney of the village. Robert Dill's early death was a
grievous loss to the struggling community.

Watrous Pomeroy, who, on account of his hotel connec-
tions and various other associations and interests, became
a man of some public note. He was a carpenter and
builder and erected some of the more or less prominent
buildings in early times. He erected a building at the
corner of North and Genesee Streets and later in 1808 built
a block for Jonathan Russell on Exchange street.

In 1805 Elijah Esty arrived in town and bought the
Daniel Hyde tannery on North street. Esty built up a
prosperous business there which he continued for a number
of years.

In 1808 and 1809 William Brown, Dr. Joseph T. Pittney,
and John H. Beach became residents of Auburn. Mr.
Beach was later a prominent citizen. He was identified
with many enterprises and represented the County in the
State Legislature. He was also active in the organization
of the Bank of Auburn in 1817.

Dr. Pittney became a physician of more than ordinary
reputation, and was one of the controlling spirits in the

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 69

affairs and the movements of one kind or another in the
village. He was one of the early presidents of the village,
and was actively interested in many business enterprises.

Dr. Pittney in 1818 erected the home in Genesee street
which later became the home of his son-in-law, Christopher
Morgan, Secretary of State. It was a handsome residence,
occupying a conspicuous site above the street level. The
house is still intact, except some slight changes and addi-
tions. Dr. Pittney married the widow of Robert Dill.
She died in the house in 1820.

In 1810 Samuel C. Dunham and Elisha Pease became
business men in the town. Pease was a merchant and
both he and Dunham were influential citizens.

In spite of the cares, the struggles and hardships of
pioneer days, there never was any lack of patriotism. It
was as deep-seated and as serious as was their religion.
This, of course, was intensified by the memory of the
recent struggle for independence.

The Independence day celebration of 1804 at Harden-
bergh's Corners, the first celebration in the new town, was
in some respects a unique affair. The country as yet was
sparcely settled and the roads leading to the Corners were
little more than suggestions, yet from every direction they
were on hand to give zest and life to the demonstration.
Capt. James Wilson with a militia band from Brutus was
also present to add to the interest and attraction. The
citizens early in the day raised a large liberty pole, but
there was not a flag in the community to unfurl. In this
emergency Daniel Hyde procured an expansive piece of
red silk which was attached and raised to the top of the

70 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

pole. Among some of those present this was the challenge
for a fight. They thought it was a British flag, and a
British flag flying in the free atmosphere of free America,
and at Hardenbergh Corners, was unthinkable. An envoy
was at once dispatched to Col. Hardenbergh with the
terrifying information, and he, in great anger and resent-
ment, ordered it shot down. But the offending red rag
was speedily removed and the celebration proceeded with
the spirit of the period. Rev. David Higgins, the first
minister in town, delivered an address in the yellow school
house at the corner of Genesee and South Streets, and
afterwards a great public dinner was served to the out of
town pioneers.

In the afternoon of this day a ball was given at Bost-
wick's new tavern at the corner of Genesee and Exchange
streets. The Committee of Arrangements was composed
of Dr. Hackaliah Burt, Daniel Hyde, John H. Carpenter,
Dr. Ellis, and Zephaniah Caswell. It was a memorable
occasion and a history making day for Hardenbergh
Corners.

It was in 1804 too that the agitation for the establish-
ment of a permanent county seat began in all quarters of
the county. The County of Cayuga had been legally
organized since March 8, 1799, and meanwhile the Courts
had been held mostly at Aurora. In this year a law was
passed authorizing the establishment of a county seat, also
appropriating $1500 for the erection of county buildings.
The committee chosen under this act, after devoting some
time to the matter, designated Sherwood Corners. But
this act was annulled and the following March, 1805, a new

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 71

commission was appointed for the service. This was com-
posed of Edward Savage, of Washington County, James
Burt, of Orange County, and James Hildreth, of Mont-
gomery County. Naturally there were many aspirants for
the county seat distinction. Aurora disliked to lose its
hold on it, Cayuga desired it, and Sherwood Comers,
Levanna, and Clarksville, besides Auburn, were seeking
the honor. This was the year that the name of the Village
was changed from Hardenbergh Corners to that of Auburn,
thus giving the place greater dignity and a stronger claim
to the county seat.

After due investigation, the commission decided the
matter in June, 1805, in favor of Auburn. Col. Harden-
bergh was a factor in bringing about this decision. Wil-
liam Bostwick thereupon gave an acre of land upon which
tb erect the county seat buildings.

It is recorded in this connection that in consideration of
the conveyance of the land, Dr. Hackaliah Burt, Henry
Ammerman, John H. Cumpston and Daniel Hyde paid
Mr, Bostwick two hundred dollars. Meanwhile the
Supervisors, having refused to appropriate funds for the
erection of a county building, the citizens of Auburn
undertook the task of raising the necessary money. The
first Court House and jail as an outcome of this action was
finally completed in 1808 at a cost of $1,000. It was a
wooden structure two stories high and painted white.
The first floor contained the jail and the jailer's living
apartments.

A little later, however, the State Legislature awakened
to the importance of the matter and, as a result, funds

72 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

sufficient to reimburse the subscribers to the first building
fund were appropriated, and a Committee named to com-
plete the building, pay over the money to the subscribers
and secure title to the property. This committee con-
sisted of John Grover, Stephen Close, and Noah Olmsted.
May 17th of that year the first Court was held in Auburn
in the new Court house, and the Justices presiding at this
Court were Elijah Price, Barnabas Smith, Charles Kellogg
and Willam C. Bennett. The first jailer was Israel Reeveh
who r( igned as jailer during a period of eleven years, and
a very genial jailor he was, it is said.

In 1807 an act was passed authorizing a County Clerk's
office, and an appropriation of $800 was made for the
erection of the building. The amount was insufiicient to
complete it, however, but the building, although incom-
pleted, served until 1814 when another appropriation was
made to finish the work. It was, of course, a very unpre-
tentious structure, yet it comported fairly with the Court
House standing beside it.

Peter Hughes was the first County Clerk chosen. He
located in Auburn before the Clerk's Office was yet ready
for occupancy, therefore, the records meanwhile were kept
at his residence. From 1794 to this time all records were
housed at Aurora. By 1830 the County Clerk's office
building was almost a w reck on account of faulty construc-
tion, and the Legislature that year appropriated another
$1,000, for the erection of a new and better building.
Nathaniel Garrow and Walter Weed were named as a
commission to superintend the work. This was a small
stone structure which served until January, 1883, at which

OLD FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Erected i8is.

r^:^-

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 73

time the present substantial Clerk's Office was completed
and occupied. The present Court House, a stone structure
with much architectural beauty, was erected in 1836, and
the jail, a modern building, was built in 1900.

The location of the County seat at Auburn gave prestige,
strength and added life to the village. Col. Hardenbergh
had reluctantly consented to the elimination of his name
when the question of discarding the cumbersome title of
Hardenbergh Corners arose in 1805. Many names were
proposed and Dr. Crossett, it is said, suggested the name.
Auburn, which was finally adopted, probably with no
intention of perpetrating a parody on Goldsmith's ideal
village.

Auburn as the county seat at once attracted many
lawyers from other places in the county and some from
places beyond the county border. Several had already
located in town while it was yet Hardenbergh Corners.
Samuel D. Lock wood was the first and then came Daniel
Kellogg in 1801. Kellogg at once took a foremost place in
the profession and in the affairs of the village and county.
Moses Sawyer was associated w^ith Mr. Kellogg in the
practice of law. Richard L. Smith soon entered their office
as a student and later became District Attorney, and at
one time was editor of the xA.uburn Gazette.

EXOS T. THROOP

Another member of the early bar who attained much
distinction was Hon. Enos T. Throop, who settled in
Auburn about 1806. He became a partner of Judge
Joseph Richardson. Mr. Throop made rapid headway

74 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

in his profession, in a few years becoming well known
throughout the State. He was interested and active in
public affairs locally and statewide. In 1829 he was
nominated and elected Governor of the State, and after the
close of his official service he continued in close touch with
the political affairs of the State and the general Govern-
ment.

Governor Throop established the beautiful estate on the
east side of Owasco lake, known as the Throop-Martin
place, and later as Willowbrook. The situations and the
surroundings, coupled with the marked social qualities and
hospitality of the resident family, rendered it a delightful
place to sojourn. The place from time to time in the past
has housed many world distinguished persons. The
Chinese Ambassador, the Japanese Ambassador, the
Ambassador from Great Britain, President Andrew Jack-
son, President U. S. Grant, Gen. Custer, Gen. James
Steadman, Admiral Farragut and Major Gen. Lovell,
H. Rousseau of Kentucky.

It was Gen. Rousseau who, during the Civil War, raised
in his native town a regiment for the defense of the Union.
When the troops were about ready to leave Louisville the
mayor of that city sent a messenger to the General with the
suggestion that in view of the bitter feeling and the likeli-
hood of trouble, it would be wise not to march his troops
through the streets of the city. Gen. Rousseau said to the
messenger: "You go back and tell the mayor that my
soldiers will march through the main street of the city, and
if a hair of one of their heads is harmed, there won't be a
building left standing in Louisville tonight!" And his
troops marched out through the city unmolested.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 75

Besides those mentioned, many other distinguished
persons have been guests at Willowbrook.

GEORGE B. THROOP

George B. Throop was born in Johnstown, N. Y., in
1793. He located in Auburn as early as 1812 and read
law in the office of Hon. Enos T. Throop. After his admis-
sion to the bar, he formed a co-partnership with Samuel D.
Lockwood, Auburn's first lawyer. In 1815 Mr. Throop
was appointed postmaster of Auburn and served until
1823. He was State Senator from 1828 to 1831. In 1833
Mr. Throop was chosen cashier of the Cayuga County
Bank and served with ability until 1840. He died in
Detroit in 1847.

By the year 1810 Auburn had become something of an
industrial center. There were then five saw mills, four
grist mills, three distilleries, two carding mills, two fulling
mills, one linseed oil mill and one triphammer forge.
Along the outlet there were six dams.

The first dam was that built by Col. Hardenbergh and
the second was built by Elisha T. Swift. The first dam
on the site of what is now known as the "big dam" was
built by Daniel Hyde in 1808. Jehial Clark, in order to
promote the interest of his community, early constructed
two dams on the outlet. In addition to the above indus-
tries, there were in the year mentioned three tanneries,
two potasheries, two chairmakers, two wagon makers, two
blacksmiths and two saddlers. Besides, there were four
taverns, six merchants, two match makers, three shoe
makers and two tailors. But as yet there was no church,

76 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

although a Presbyterian clergyman was stationed in the
village and services were held in the school houses or at the
Court house.

Gov, Clinton visited Auburn in the year 1810 and later
described the place in considerable detail. The same year
a noted Irishman from Belfast, Ireland, spent a little time
in the village. Eight years later he published in Belfast
an account of his visit and observations and drew a horo-
scope of the place, for which he predicted a great future.

The year 1811 brought to the village Thomas Cooper,
Chauncey Dibble, machinist, Stephen Van Anden, a tailor,
Tillman and John S. Burt, who became merchants. That
year also Dr. A. M. Bennett located in town. In 1812 Dr.
Erastus Tuttle, Abraham Gridley, John Oliphant, Teri
Rogers, Abel and Thadrack Terry, and a little later Daniel
Elliott, Sylvanus Noble and George Casey became resi-
dents.

CHURCHES — EARLY AND LATE

The movement in the direction of religious worship and
church societies began soon after the founding of the town,
although it was a considerable number of years before any
society had the strength and membership to establish and
build a church.

In setting forth here the story of the early church socie-
ties and church building in Auburn, it is not out of order to
include a real living church, which in early times, was in
the country but is now in the outskirts of the city. There-
fore, in its relation at least it is a city organization.

Sand Beach church by a decade of years antedates in
organization any society or church organization in the

rUBL

■n ii

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 77

village and city proper. Sand Beach church was first
organized in 1796 and the church erected in 1797 at
Brinkerhoff Point on Owasco lake. Sand Beach church
was then called the Dutch Reformed Church and continued
as such until 1810. It was at first a log edifice erected to
meet the worshipful needs of the primitive settlement
along the lake. It is reasonably safe to put it down, there-
fore, as the first church erected in the state west of Schenec-
tady.

In 1810 the population in the lake region had increased
to such an extent as to warrant the building of a new and
larger church, and that year a frame church was built at
Sand Beach and dedicated as Sand Beach Church. The
doctrine of the Church in those days was of the most rigor-
ous orthodox character and the preachers from time to
time were virile exponents of that religious teaching.
Conrad Ten Eyck was the first pastor at Sand Beach
church and it is said that the church from Sunday to
Sunday barely got cleared of the odor of the brimstone
that he belched forth in his sermons.

In 1850 a new and still more modern brick church was
erected and now serves the society. The Rev. Dr. Samuel
R. Brown was the first pastor of the new church. He was
a strong character, possessing the qualities that make for
a good preacher, a good pastor and a valued friend. He
was pastor of the church eight years, during which time he
also conducted Springside School. In 1859 Dr. Brown
w^ent as the first missionary from the United States to
Japan. He left upon the Sand Beach society and the Com-
munity an impress which has not to this day been effaced.

78 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

It was a long time, however, after the Rev. David Irish,
the Baptist divine, preached the first sermon in the com-
munity, before a living church organization was effected
in the village of Auburn.

Missionaries of the different denominations visited the
village and held services at the homes of some of the resi-
dents, at the school houses, in rooms set aside for them in
the taverns, and later in the Court house.

The first religious services, it is put down, were held in
William Bostwick's barn in 1802. The Rev. David Hig-
gins of Connecticut, was the Missionary who conducted
the services. And the Rev. Davenport Phelps performed
a similar office in the interest of the Episcopalian denomi-
nation. The Rev. Phelps was a missionary who had
labored zealously in many pioneer communities in western
New York. It was through his efforts that the first real
church organization was effected in the village.

ST. Peter's church

From 1797 to 1803 there were ten or fifteen families in
the Hardenbergh community of the Episcopal faith.
These families were visited from time to time by mission-
aries and services were occasionally held at the homes of
some member of the little band. The Rev. Whitmore and
the Rev. Philander Chase were missionaries in the western
part of the State in those years and they often made occa-
sion to visit Hardenbergh Corners and minister to the
gathering on a Sunday.

The Rev. Davenport Phelps visited the settlement from
1803 and on for some time. He held services and adminis-

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 79

tered the first baptism, this being Hiram Bostwick, the
infant son of Wilham Bostwick. At this period the ser-
vices were held usually at the school house, or in the large
room of the Bostwick tavern. The society was incor-
porated July 1st, 1805. Thus the work went on while
the numbers increased from month to month. William
Bostwick and Dr. Hackaliah Burt were assiduous workers
in the cause and it was for the most part through their
efforts that a concrete organization of the society was early
brought about. They had valuable assistance from other
members, however, added to which was a gift of $1,000
from Trinity Church, New York.

St. Peter's Church was organized at a meeting held in
1808 at Dr. Hackaliah Burt's home. The Rev. Davenport
Phelps conducted the service. Dr. Burt and William
Vredenberg were chosen as first wardens, and Thomas
Jeffries, Jonathan Booth, Timothy Hatch, William
Bostwick, Jaduthan Higby, John Lake, John Person, and
Ebenezer Phelps, were chosen vestrymen. From this time
on the society rapidly grew in strength and membership,
the Rev. Davenport Phelps continuing to minister to the
spiritual needs of the society.

In January, 1810, a meeting was held at which definite
action was taken in the matter of building a church.
William Bostwick, Dr. Hackaliah Burt and Ebenezer
Phelps were appointed a committee to superintend the
building of the first church erected in Auburn.

William Bostwick donated the site for the church and
which St. Peters now occupies. The first edifice was a
plain wooden structure of moderate size, but adequate for

80 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

the congregation at that period. The church was com-
pleted and dedicated August 22, 1812, by the Rt. Rev.
John Hobart. Bishop Hobart died at the Rectory Sep-
tember 12, 1830, and was buried in his native state,
Vermont.

Rev. Davenport Phelps was the first rector of St.
Peters, but he was succeeded April 30, 1812, by the Rev.
William A. Clark and three years later the Rev. Dr.
McDonold became the rector and remained until 1817.
Dr. McDonold afterwards became president of Hobart
College. He died in Geneva in 1830.

The Rev. Dr. McDonold was succeeded as rector by
Rev. William H. Northrop, who remained only a short
time; then the Rev. Lucius Smith assumed the rectorship
in 1819 and continued until 1823. There were several
rectors of the church from this time up to the beginning of
the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. John Brainard. The first
church erected burned February 5th, 1832, and a new and
larger church was at once erected and dedicated on August
8th, 1833. This church was razed in 18G9 to give place to
the modern and handsome St. Peters of today. It was
consecrated in 1870 by Bishop Huntington, who became
Bishop in 1869. In 1873 Gen. John H. Chedell donated
ten thousand dollars for the building of the tower upon the
church, and in 1875 the chimes were placed in this tower.
In 1887 D. M. Osboine, Esq., presented to the society the
memorial organ.

The rectors since Dr. McDonold have been the Rev.
William Lucas, Rev. C. W. Hackley, Rev. William Cros-
well, Rev. Samuel Hanson Coxe, Jr., Rev. Walter Arault,

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 81

Rev. E. H. Cressy, Rev. Charles Piatt, Rev. Joseph Pier-
son, who remained only a short period. In 1863 Rev.
John Brainard, D.D., succeeded to the rectorship and
rounded out a career full of good deeds and great achieve-
ments in church upbuilding welfare of forty-five years and
at his death, November, 1909, left a deep and lasting
impress upon the community he had served so faithfully
and so long.

DR. BRAINARD

Dr. Brainard was born on June 4th, 1830, in Hartford,
Connecticut, the son of Hezekiah and Rebecca Morgan
Brainard.

He was educated at Hartford Grammar School, Ches-
hire, Connecticut, and entered Trinity College, Hartford,
from which he graduated, receiving a degree of Bachelor of
Arts in 1851 . He began immediately the study of theology
at Berkley Divinity School, now of Middleton, Connecti-
cut, and was ordained deacon, December 18, 185^2, The
following two years he spent as the Assistant Minister of
Grace Church, Baltimore. He was ordained to the priest-
hood at St. Pauls Church, Baltimore, May 18th, 185f», and
thereafter became Rector of St. James Church, Birming-
ham, now Derby, Connecticut, where he continued until
November, 1863. At the last named date he came to
Auburn, then in the western diocese of the State of New
York, having accepted the rectorship of St. Peters Church.
Here he remained until his death on November ^Oth, 1909.
During this long service the diocese of Western New York
was divided and Auburn was included in the present dio-
cese of Central New York. He attained diocesan honors.

82 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

having been made Secretary and President of the standing
committee of the diocese for a long period of years, and
also having as a delegate, represented the diocese at
several general conventions of the Protestant Episcopal
Church.

Under his administration St. Peters church grew from a
comparatively small country parish to one of large and
commanding influence in the diocese, having at the time
of his death over seven hundred communicants. The
present edifice was built and equipped with a chime of ten
bells during his pastorate.

He was a scholarly man of large sympathies, broad
churchmanship, and genial personality, and during his
long rector ate achieved great popularity and influence.

Rev. Norton T. Houser succeeded Dr. Brainard in 1909
and is carrying on the work with efficiency.

ST. JOHNS CHURCH

St. Johns Episcopal Church was organized in April,
1868, about five years after Dr. Brainard became rector of
St. Peters, and officiated there for a time. The church
was an outgrowth from the original church. The site at
the corner of East Genesee and Fulton streets was donated
by Gen. Chedell, a beautiful location upon which now
stands a handsome stone edifice.

The first wardens of the church were Henry Wilson and
William Lamey, and the vestrymen were Isaac L. Scoville,
William F. Gibbs, C. ISI. Knight, J. M. Hurd, Rufus Sar-
geant, Edward C. Marvine, George F. Bronson, and Henry
Hall.

REV. DR. SAMUEL R. BROWX

Early Pastor Sand Beach Church and Principal Springside School.

,;-(. .f; i

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 83

The first rector of the church was the Rev. James Stod-
dard who assumed the duties in October, 1868. He was
succeeded by the Rev. E. B. Tuttle and he later by Rev.
Charles B. Hale, D.D. None of these remained long in
charge of the parish.

In 1871 Rev. W. N. Lord became rector and remained
until 1878. He was then followed by the Rev. Francis

A. D. Launt who continued until 188^?. The Rev. James

B. Murray succeeded him and since Dr. Murray, Rev.
Clement Brown, Rev. Louis Post Franklin, Rev. Samuel
McPherson, Rev. Ransome Church, and other whose con-
nection with the parish was more or less brief. The present
rector is the Rev. Guy P. Burleson.

St. Johns is now a strong parish and has in its member-
ship many earnest workers for good.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

As early as the year 1795 the few followers of the Presby-
terian faith in the Hardenbergh settlement were accus-
tomed to collect at a log house and have religious services.
In the very early years the Presbyterians seem not to have
been as strong numerically as were the Episcopalians.
About this time the Rev. Daniel Thatcher, a missionary
from New Jersey, ministered to a large section of the very
sparsely inhabited Cayuga County. Hardenbergh Cor-
ners was one of his visiting points. The Rev. Thatcher
was followed in 1798 to 1801 by other missionaries, chiefly
from New Jersey: Rev. Asa Hillger, Rev. Aaron Condit
and later Rev. MathewPerrine, the latter several years sub-
sequent becoming identified with the Theological Seminary.

84 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

In like manner the affairs of the Presbyterians went on
until 1802 and with little improvement, in fact, until still
later. The Rev. David Higgins entered the field in 1801
and acted as a missionary through a good part of Cayuga
County, also holding meetings at the various places,
including Hardenbergh Corners, once in four weeks. Rev.
Higgins in 1802 settled at the Corners, and in the fall of
1801 the first steps were taken toward the organization of
the First Congregational Society of Auburn. The parish
however, covered, besides Auburn, Half Acre, Grover
settlement and Cayuga.

Thus it went on until September, 1810, at which time a
meeting was held at the Center House in Auburn and the
Congregational Church organization was perfected, the
establishment of the Auburn Church becoming effective in
July, 1811. This was the beginning of the First Presby-
terian Church. Rev. Mr. Higgins remained as pastor
until February, 1813. He was succeeded by th Rev.
Hackaliah Woodruff who carried on the work until
1816.

It was in 1816 that the Rev. Dr. D. C. Lansing became
pastor of the First Church, continuing in charge until 1829.
As pastor of the First Church and professor in the Auburn
Theological Seimnary, Dr. Lansing became a conspicuous
figure in the community. Like Conrad Ten Eyck of Sand
Beach Church, Dr. Lansing's religious teaching was of the
severest type. Yet he was a zealous worker and constant
in his faith.

Dr. Lansing was largely instrumental in founding the
Theological Seminary and labored earnestly in its interest

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 85

at a time when it needed strong helpers and supporters.
Dr. Lansing died March 19, 1857.

The first Church edifice was erected in 1815 on the site
of the present First Church. The church was a large,
wooden structure planned with the view of future growth,
it may be assumed, for the congregation in 1815 was not
large. Col. Hardenbergh donated the site and in other
ways aided the struggling society.

Rev. Dr. Lansing's successor was the Rev. Josiah Hop-
kins who assumed the duties in 1830 and remained until
1846; Rev. Henry A. Nelson, 1846 to 1856. The Rev.
Dr. Charles Hawley was then chosen pastor and served the
Congregation until 1885.

Dr. Hawley was not only a strong preacher but a man of
strong character, a distinguished scholar, of broad mind, a
cultured gentleman with high ideals of life and citizenship.
He attracted thinking people, and thus added strength to
his church and success to his labors. It was during Dr.
Hawley's pastorate in 1869, that the new and greater
First Presbyterian Church was erected at a cost of
$140,000. The first church erected in 1815 cost about
$17,000. This building was moved to Capital Hill, and
became Calvary Church. The first Sunday School
organized in Auburn took place in the old church in 1817.
Rev. Dirck C. Lansing was the mover and organizer of the
school.

Dr. Hawley took up the work at a much later period but
his labor was effective. He grew into the hearts of the
people and the esteem of all who came in contact with him.
His pastorate closed in 1885 and he died in Auburn, 1888.

86 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Dr. Hawley was succeeded in 1886 by Rev, Dr. William
H. Hubbard another strong man and an indefatigable
worker.

REV. WILLIAM HENRY HUBBARD, D.D.

In the profession, or life work, chosen by Mr. Hubbard,
there plainly was the influence of destiny. His success
was so marked, so distinguished, that his ends seem to
have been shaped by Divine power.

Dr. Hubbard possessed the qualities that unquestion-
ably would have made him successful in any pursuit other
than the one chosen, in fact, he demonstrated this in a
multitude of ways. He grappled nearly every problem in
social, civic and business life, yet his great achievement
was in the realm of Christian work and moral reform. In
these fields of endeavor he left an impress and a record that
will live in history and in the memory of all who knew him.

Dr. Hubbard was born in Clark County, Kentucky,
April 16, 1851, son of William Henry Hubbard, who was a
lawyer, and Anna Waite Hinds. He was descended ninth
in the direct line from George Hubbard who came over
from England and settled at Watertown, Mass., in 1633.
At sixteen Dr. Hubbard graduated from the Louisville
High School and entered Amherst College. The year
previous, in 1866, he received his diploma from the Bryant
and Strafford's Merchantile College at Louisville, having
carried on this extra course in connection with his High
School work. Graduating from Amherst at twenty years
of age, he entered iVndover Theological Seminary in the
fall of 1871 for one year and later Princeton Theological

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 87

Seminary for two years, where he was graduated in the
class of 1874. He immediately accepted the pastorate of
the first church offered him. This was at Rutland, Mass.,
where he performed earnest and efficient work for a little
more than a year. At the end of this period he was called
to the pastorate of the Congregational Church at Merri-
mac, Mass. Here he labored with great success for seven
years and a half, and laid the foundation of the career
which later won distinction and honor.

From Merrimac, Dr. Hubbard was called to the South
Congregational Church at Concord, N. H. His work at
Concord prospered in a great measure, meanwhile he
engaged in social uplift measures and in the enforcement
of the law. Soon the Second Congregational Church of
Holyoke, Mass., extended him a call, and he became its
pastor. Here he remained for one year during which
time one hundred and forty were added to the Church
membership. It was while at Holyoke that Dr. Hubbard
met and married Miss Elizabeth Allen Skinner who
became also his associate and helper in his future work.

About this time the First Presbyterian Church of
Auburn called Dr. Hubbard to become its pastor, and he
assumed the duties in October, 1886. From this time on
until his death, January 31, 1913, Dr. Hubbard's life was
one of intense activity. During his pastorate 1800 were
added to the Church membership, a debt of $8,000 was
cleared, an endowment of $50,000 was raised, and the organ
was enlarged. One of the dreams of his early pastorate
was realized in the completion of a new Chapter House
that would give the enlarged Sunday School better accom-

88 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

modations. Not only did he busy himself in the upbuild-
ing of the Church and in extending its usefulness, but also
went out into the highways and byways in pursuance of
the religious, civic and moral uplift of the community.
He never spared himself; his only thought was of the
great work there was for him to do and the limited time in
which to accomplish it. His heart and energy were
devoted to every good cause. Moreover, he was active in
City affairs. He served with ability and efficiency on the
Board of Charities; he was closely identified with the
Business Men's Association and served it ably in various
capacities. For five years Dr. Hubbard was Editor and
Publisher of the Assembly Herald of the Presbyterian
Church, also for three years Editor and Publisher of the
Gospel Message. In this work, as in all others. Dr. Hub-
bard evinced the strength and the same high ideals of
Christian character.

In addition to all these. Dr. Hubbard served as Modera-
tor of the Cayuga Presbytery and was for many years an
active and helpful member of the Board of Trustees of the
Auburn Theological Seminary. He was also a member of
the Executive Commission of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church, and on account of his demonstrated
executive ability he was made Executive Secretary of this
Commission. The duties of the office were so arduous
and so exacting that Dr. Hubbard in 1911 resigned the
pastorate of the Church in order to devote his time more
fully to the appointed service. Meanwhile his interest in
the Church abated not a degree nor in any other move-
ment for good.

REV. WILLIAM H. HUBBARD, D.D.

'^1 iv' ■ i ; : ■ ■■'. 'ill's <

f tJL. -.5 5-; •-■ ■■■■■' j-

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 89

That his work was appreciated was evidenced by the
following expression from the Joint Executive Committee
of the Executive Commission:

"The Committee wishes to place on record its apprecia-
tion of the faithful, efficient and painstaking labors of Rev.
William H. Hubbard, D.D. He brought to the Work of the
Committee a great aptitude for dealing with matters
financial; a clear, clean-cut conviction of the necessity of
developing in the individual church, systematic beneficence
a full knowledge of the whole subject from every point of
view; a deep and abiding interest not only in the entire
Church, but in particular in the smaller and weaker
churches, and a burning passion for all the work of the
Church so that the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ might be advanced at home and abroad:
'A workman that needeth not to be ashamed'." As one
of the religious papers, The Continent, stated, "The
Church will no doubt wait long to see again his like for
generous devotion, but the imprint of his intense crusade
will always be found upon Presbyterianism."

Dr. Hubbard was a man of wonderful physical and
mental force, and he strained them to the breaking point
in his desire to work out the problems which confronted
him. The days seemed not to be long enough for him to
accomplish the many tasks he set for himself. His was a
busy life, and he literally wore himself out in the work.

Upon the retirement of Dr. Hubbard the Rev. Charles
Gorman Richards become the pastor and is now serving.

90 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The Second Presbyterian Church had its beginning as
early as 1828. It sprang from the First Church and
active and influential people as its founder. The first
elders were William Brown, Abajiah Fitch, John T.
Hagaman, Horace Hills, Truman J. McMaster, George C.
Skinner, and Henry Teft. A site was that year purchased
on South street and in 1829 the society began the erection
of the church which is still the society's home of worship,
a building quite unique in architecture yet classic in
appearance.

The church was completed and dedicated in 1830. The
Rev. Daniel Axtel was ordained pastor upon completion of
the church and continued until 1836. The Rev. Leonard
Lathrop succeeded him in November of that year and
remained until 1851.

Here there appears to have been a period of nearly two
years without a pastor, for the Rev. Edward D. Morris
became pastor in January, 1853, and remained until
November, 1855. Ezra Huntington, D.D., professor in
the Seminary, supplied the pulpit from 1855 to 1858.
The Rev. Henry Fowler succeeded him and continued as
pastor until 1861. Rev. Samuel Boardman was pastor
from 1862 to 1877; W. H. Albright 1879 to 1887; Rev.
Edward Sprague, 1887 to 1895; Rev. J. Wilson Brainard,
1896 to 1907. Here was another interval when the
church was without a pastor. In 1909 Rev. Allen M.
Dulles, D.D., became the pastor and is now ministering
to the congregation.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 91

The Central Presbyterian Church organization had its
inception in the year beginning of the Civil War, and the
sentiment growing out of the paramount issue in that
struggle was an element in the forming of the new church
society. Its promoters and founders, in great part were
abolitionists who had broken away from other church
connections on account of the diverse opinions held upon
the subject by their church associates.

Rev. Henry Fowler the first pastor of the new" church
was vigorous anti-slavery advocate and voiced the senti-
ment with great energy and earnestness.

The first meeting to effect an organization of the society
was held in December, 1861, over which Prof. S. M. Hop-
kins presided. During the year 1862, the society held its
services in the Y. M. C. A. In October of that year a site
was purchased at the corner of William and Genesee
streets. A basement chapel was at once constructed for
temporary use, which served the needs of the society until
1870. In 1868 the site upon which the church now stands
on William street was purchased and the following year the
erection of the church was begun. It was completed and
dedicated in 1870. In 1885 large extensions were made to
provide parlors, chapel and session room. The cost
amounted to above $70,000. The church is now strong
and prosperous.

The Rev. Henry Fowler was its pastor from 1861 to
1871; Henry F. Hickok, 1872-1875; Rev. Samuel
Duffield, 1876-1878; Rev. Charles G. Hemmingway,
Ph.D., 1879-1891; Rev. Frederick W. Palmer, 1893, is the
present pastor.

92 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

When the present First Presbyterian Church was built
in 1869-1870, the discarded church was moved to Capital
Hill and became Calvery Church. The society was
organized in 1870 and the Rev. H. S. Huntington became
its first pastor, and remained in charge until 1876. Prof.
Wm. Hopkins then acted as a supply until May of that
year at which time the Rev. Dr. M. W. Stryker was in-
stalled as pastor, but he was soon thereafter elected presi-
dent of Hamilton College,t hus leaving the church without
a pastor. The Rev. Dr. George B. Stewart supplied the
pulpit for a considerable time. Since that time the pastors
have been the Rev. Frank Hinman, Rev. A. S. Haster,
Rev. E. H. Adriance, Rev. WilHam E. Roe, D.D., and in
1908, the Rev. Vernon N. Yergin, who is the present
pastor.

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Westminster Presbyterian church had its beginning
when both the Central and the Second Presbyterian
churches combined in the work of establishing a Sunday
school on Baker Avenue. The Sunday School opened in
May of that year and soon had enrolled seventy-five pupils.
The school grew and interest in the project strengthened
until it crystallized into a church society. All the other
Presbyterian churches gave efficient aid to the under-
takings and this, with the generous contribution of Dr.
Sylvester Willard, made it possible soon to erect a church
at Genesee and Dele van streets, where an attractive chapel
was erected in 1884. It was dedicated Nov. 30th of that
year and was for some time known as Willard Chapel.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 93

The pulpit of the Chapel at first was supplied by local
pastors and members of the Theological Seminary faculty.
In 1885 the Cayuga Presbytery held its session at the
Chapel, at which time the church organization was per-
fected under the title of Westminster Church.

In June, 1885, Rev. Albert S. Hughey was engaged as
pastor and ministered to the growing congregation until
1889. He was followed in 1890 by the Rev. E. W. Twichell,
1890-1892; Rev. O. T. Mather, 1893-97; Rev. Tracy B.
Griswold, 1898-1902; Rev. Arthur McKay, 1903-1911;
Rev. L. A. Losey succeeded him in 1911 and is still in
charge.

FIRST M. E. CHURCH

The movement toward the formation of the First
Methodist society in Auburn started several years subse-
quent to the beginning of the denominations first men-
tioned, and the promoters in this instance had a still
greater struggle in getting established. When the society
was organized in 1819, it had only fifty-one members, but
finally a small, wooden building was erected on what is
now Chapel street which, in face of many inconveniences,
served the congregation until 1834. It was soon there-
after sold to the Catholics, thus becoming the first church
of that denomination in the village.

In 1833 John Seymour, Esq., and Tallmage Cherry
erected at the corner of North and Water streets a church
which they conveyed to the First Methodist Church
society. The Church issuing bonds in the sum of $10,000.
In view of the failure to meet the payments as they became
due, the purchaser of the bonds began proceeding for

94 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

foreclosure. The society, however, had grown stronger
so that finally the debt was paid. In 1867 the church was
destroyed by fire, the society having upon it an insurance
of $6,000. Before the close of the year of the disaster the
church purchased a site on Exchange street upon which a
very commodious church was at once erected at a cost of
$35,000. It was dedicated in 1869.

The first pastor of the little Chapel Street church was
Rev. Gardner Baker. Later, when the society moved into
its new church on North street, the Rev. William Searles,
a man of much force and earnestness in his work was its
pastor. Under his administration the church grew and
prospered. Rev. I. H. Ives was called to the pastorate of
the First Church in 1854. Dr. Ives performed valuable
service for the church. He increased its membership and
greatly strengthened the financial conditions of the Wall
street church. He remained in charge until 1856. The
church has had many other earnest and able workers in the
cause of Christianity.

WALL STREET CHURCH

The Wall Street M. E. Church was established in 1854
through the efforts of Dr. Ives, as a means to better
accommodate a large section in the northeastern part of
the city. The first board of trustees were chosen Aug. 25,
1856, was composed of the following: William Barnes,
Alonzo Munsell, T. J. Francis, W\ H. Halliday, and J. W.
Haight. Dr. Ives and Alonzo Munsell were appointed a
committee to secure a suitable place to hold services. A
building located at the corner of Washington and Seymour

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 95

streets was secured where the thirty-seven members then
composing the society, worshipped until 1859. Various
clergymen officiated at different times, Dr. Ives acting as
a supply a part of the time in the earlier period of its
beginning. The building of the Wall Street Church was
begun in 1859 and completed in the spring of 1860. From
this time on the Church grew in membership until now it
is a strong organization. The first pastor in 1857 was the
Rev. William Reddy. The Rev. James Britten is the
present pastor.

TRINITY CHURCH

Trinity Methodist Church, one of the handsomest
church edifices in Auburn was begun in 1906 and com-
pleted in 1907.

The Church society, however, was organized in 1885,
having been an outgrowth of the First Church. The
First Church also gave effective aid in establishing the new
church. The movement for the building of a church on
the east hill was with the view of better accommodation
for the large number of worshippers in that section of the
city. At the first meeting held in the interest of the
project a committee was named consisting of Thomas
Jones, John F. Driggs, C. A. Porter, and C. E. Parker to
procure a site for the erection of a church. In September
of that year a lot at the corner of East Genesee and Evans
street was bought upon which a chapel was erected and
was ready for occupancy in the fall of 1886. A meeting
was early called at the house of C. A. Porter, at which the
trustees of the society were chosen as follows: C. E.

96 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Parker, C. A. Porter, A. S. Martin, W. L. Tuller, and R. S.
Broad. The new organization was to be known as Trinity
Church and accordingly a charter was at once filed in the
County Clerk's office.

In October, 1886, the Rev. Arthur Copeland was
installed as the first pastor. At the close of the first year
the church had one hundred and forty members. Rev.
Mr. Copeland remained until 1889, when he was succeeded
by Rev. Charles E. Babcock.

The present church was erected at a cost of $55,000. It
is now a healthy and prosperous church. The present
pastor of Trinity is the Rev. Victor S. Britten.

ZION M. E. CHURCH

The Organization of Zion Church was effected as early
as 1840, but the society was without a permanent place of
worship until 1891. The members held meetings in
different school houses and in vacant buildings from time
to time. However, in 1891, Rev. Johnson Joseph began
a campaign which resulted in the Society's erecting a very
adequate and comfortable church at the corner of West
Genesee and Parker streets. The Church now holds
regular services and has a regular pastor. Rev. J. W.
Polk is the present pastor.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

The inception of the First Baptist Church dates from
1817. In that year a small number of adherents of the
faith met at the home of J. James Randall and by the
action there taken constituted themselves a body known

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 97

as the Auburn Baptist Conference. Early in the year 1818
this body appointed a meeting to be held at the Court
House on December 26, of that year to perfect the organiza-
tion. This, however, did not complete it. At a meeting
held February 17, 1819, the First Baptist Church was con-
stituted by a counsel composed of the churches of Aurelius,
Brutus, Mentz and Owasco. Up to 1819 the church
society had no regular pastor but that year Elder Elkanah
Comstock was engaged on a half time basis, and in this
manner he served them ten months. In 1820 Rev. C. P.
Wyckoff became the regular pastor. The first meeting
under his ministration was held June 4, 1820, at the Court
House. Rev. Wyckoff continued as pastor until 1828.
He was succeeded in 1830 by the Rev. John Blain. In
182o a small church was built at the junction of South and
Exchange streets, which was occupied until 1830.

By this time the church membership had so increased
that a new and larger stone church was erected on Genesee
street, a little west of the outlet. By 1883 the congrega-
tion had again outgrown the Church and the present large
stone edifice corner west Genesee and James streets was
erected. It is now one of the strong and flourishing
churches of the city. It was dedicated in October, 1887,
and cost about $70,000.

The pastors since Rev. Wyckoff have been: Rev. J. M.
Graves, 1833-35; Rev. L. S. Parrer, 1835-1838; Rev.
James Johnson, 1839-1840; Rev. Alfred Pinney, 1841-
1843; Dr. J. S. Backus, 1843-1850; Rev. W. P.Patteson,
1851-1855; Rev. A. M. Hopper, D.D., 1857-1859; Rev.
P. P. Bishop, 1861-1868; Rev. W. H. Maynard, D.D.,

98 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

1869-1875; Rev. Willard H. Robinson, 1876-1881; The
pulpit was then supphed for a short time. Since that time
the church has had as pastors, Rev. Joseph K. Dixon,
Rev, Dr. Robert G. Seymour, Rev. Giles H. Hubbard,
D.D., Rev. A. W. Bourne, who assumed the pastorate
in 1904 and is still in charge.

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH

The Second Church was the outcome of a Mission
established in Francis street in 1867, by E. L. Lord and
Stephen C. Hoyt, through the influence and aid of the
Y. M. C. A. In June, 1868, the organization was turned
over to the First Baptist Church. The Sunday School
in connection with the new society was held that year at
the home of Thomas Hale, on Augustus Street. By 1869
the membership increased to a sufficient number to war-
rant the building of a chapel at the corner of Owasco and
Lazette streets.

The organization continued with pulpit supplies until
1879 when the Second Baptist Church was finally organ-
ized. In 1882 the new and larger church was begun at the
corner of Genesee and Owasco streets, and was completed
and dedicated in 1884.

Rev. Mr. Wilkins was the first pastor in the new church,
beginning in 1885. Since that time the successive pastors
have been Rev. O. E. Coxe, Rev. Frank D. Finney, Rev.
F. Vebb, Rev. Arthur C. Watkins, Rev. Amos Naylor,
Rev. A. A. Nellis, and Rev. E. L. Jones, who was installed
in 1909 and remained until the close of 1912. He was
succeeded by the Rev. L. N. Girritt, D.D., who is now the
pastor.

OLD FIRST M. E. CHURCH

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 99

EMANUEL BAPTIST

Emanuel Baptist church grew out of the Second Baptist
there being a desire to provide a place of worship for a large
number of its members living in the south-eastern section
of the city. The movement in the undertaking began
April 15, 1888, at which time the church was organized.
It was at once called Emanuel Baptist church. The early
meetings of the organization were held in College Hall and
Seminary Chapel, and the first preacher was F. W. Lock-
wood, of Rochester Theological Seminary. In June, 1888,
he was chosen as the regular pastor of the new church. A
little later the organization purchased a lot on Owasco
Street and erected a handsome chapel in which to worship.
In July, 1901, after it had been cleared of all indebtedness,
the church was dedicated and recognized as a regular
independent Baptist Church. The Church is now active
and prosperous under the pastorate of Rev. C. L. Dakin.

CHURCH OF CHRIST

As early as 1829 action was taken toward the organiza-
tion of this society, when Deacon Peck and Edward Allen,
living in the section early known as Clarksville, made a
movement for the foundation of a church of the Disciples
of Christ. They began by holding meetings in a stone
school house on Division street. At that time the little
society was in alliance with the Throopsville church and
so continued until the society became sufficiently strong
to form a separate church. In 1849 this organization was
effected and incorporated as the first Congregation of
Christ, of Auburn.

/^» UfcJ yT-i ir> i~> i~\

6Yt3©89

100 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

A wooden structure was erected in 1851 on Division
Street. It is said that Pres. Garfield once preached there
when a young man. Rev. Ira L. Parvin is the present
pastor.

ST. LUCAS CHURCH

St. Lucas German EvangeHcal Church had its begininng
in 1873 and through several succeeding years, when
believers in that religious faith held meetings at private
homes. In 1879 an organization was perfected and a
pastor installed, Rev. George Field being the first pastor.
For several years thereafter meetings were held at various
places, among them the Seminary Chapel. In 1881 with
the aid of stronger outside churches, a small but neat
church was erected on Seminary Avenue. Rev. Feld was
pastor of the church until 1895, at which time Rev. Adei-
bert E. Helm succeeded him. The next pastor was Rev.
Theodore Braim, and the present pastor is Rev. Carl Loos.

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

The beginning of the Universalist church dates back to
1805 when Lyman Paine settled in Auburn as a pioneer.
He was the father and founder of the church and one of its
earnest supporters until his death in 1853.

The early meetings of the followers of that faith were
held at Lyman Paine's house, the first sermon having been
preached in his kitchen by the Rev. Paul Dean in 1812.
Mr. Paine then lived on North street and the little handful
of worshippers could gather in a small room with no great
discomfort, as the congregation comprised not more than
twenty persons.

FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 101

For several years thereafter there was only preaching
now and then by some itinerant missionary, and like the
other struggling church organizations, the meetings for
several years were held at private homes or in the school
houses. In 1815 Rev. Nathaniel Stacy visited Auburn
and preached and received not a very cordial reception
from the residents, other than the followers of the faith.

An organization was finally effected with Elijah Swift,
George Standert and Lyman Paine as trustees. The
society was known as the First Universalist Society of
Auburn. There were then twenty-nine members. At a
meeting held in December, 1822, at the home of Jarvis
Swift, a committee was appointed to procure a suitable
site for a church. In 1823 the movement for the raising of
funds was started, meanwhile, there was occasional preach-
ing by Isaac Whitnall, Henry Roberts and others that
came along from time to time. The Cayuga Association
of Universalists was organized in Auburn in 1822 and the
Rev. Mr. Everett was the first regular pastor to assume
charge in 1827. The society grew rapidly under his
ministration. In 1829 Rev. Augustus Bronson became
the pastor and did effective work for some time. After
the departure of Rev. Bronson, the society dwindled until
1833 when it was revived and a movement started again
to purchase the church previously occupied by the First
Baptist society. A meeting was held at the Western
Exchange Hotel in April, 1833, and a new organization
was perfected with a new board of trustees composed of
Allen Worden, Ezekiel Williams, William H. Coffin, John
G. Paul, Josiah Barber, Salmon Tyler, Ethan A, Warden,

102 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Jar vis Swift and Stephen Lombard. Soon after this the
old Baptist edifice at the junction of South and Exchange
streets was purchased and since that date the society has
had a house of worship of its own. From this time on the
church prospered until it has now become one of the
representative churches of the city. In 1847 a new and
handsome church was dedicated at the corner of South
and Compston, now Lincoln streets.

The first pastor in 1833 was the Rev. George W.
Montgomery and the present pastor is the Rev. Arnold S.
Yantis. The Universalist church has had some able
preachers and many earnest workers. Lucretia Mott fre-
quently preached in this church.

HOLY FAMILY CHURCH

The foundation of Catholicity in Auburn dates from
1810, although the denomination had no church until
nearly twenty years later.

John O'Connor and Hugh Ward were settlers in the
village in 1810, and through their efforts the first Catholic
service in Western New York was held in Auburn. John
O'Connor was a man of much force of character and fairly
well to do. After six years residence in the village without
the visitation of a priest, he requested Rt. Rev. Bishop
Connelly, of New York, to send a priest to Auburn to say
mass. Mr. O'Connor offered to defray all the expenses.
In response Rev. John Gorman was sent to Auburn in 1816
and said mass at Mr. O'Connor's house, which was then
situated on Water street. From this time on for several
years mass was celebrated in Auburn, worshippers coming

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 103

from Geneva, Seneca Falls and Ithaca to attend. In 18^0
Father Gorman visited Auburn again, said mass in the
Court House and baptized several children. Meanwhile
Mr. O'Connor was the moving spirit in securing per-
manently a priest to minister to the spiritual needs of the
little colony of Catholics in the community. Mr. O'Con-
nor was the grandfather of Rev. Father John J. Hickey,
now pastor of the Holy Family Church.

In 1825 Father Kelly, of Rochester, visited Auburn to
celebrate Mass, and in 1828 Rev. Dr. Farron performed
the same services several times. They were followed by
Father McNamara and Father Hayes of Salina. In 1829
Father O'Donahue began his labors in the village and soon
thereafter purchased the chapel vacated by the First
Methodist Society on Chapel street. The Church was
dedicated in September, 1830, under the name of the
Church of the Holy Family. John O'Connor, Hugh
Ward, Thomas Hickson, and Daniel Lawler were the first
trustees. Father O'Donahue was later succeeded by
Father Connelly and he by Rev. Father Grace, who died in
1844. Father Bradley came as the next pastor and after-
wards Father O'Flaherty was appointed and remained in
charge until 1856. Father Creedon succeeded him in
1857 and in 1861 he erected the beautiful Holy Family
Church as it stands today on North street. Later Rev.
Father Creedon was transferred to Elmira and Rev. James
McGlew became pastor. After two years Father McGlew
was sent elsewhere and Father O'Flaherty again became
pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Martin Kavanaugh in
1869 who remained until 1874. Father Kavanaugh

104 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

established the parochial school and did much more to
advance the interests of the Church. Then came Rev.
Edward McGowan and after him, Rev. William Seymour
who continued until his death in 1895.

Rev. Father John J. Hickey, the present rector, suc-
ceeded Father Seymour in 1895 and during his pastorate
many improvements in the church and the school have
been made. He has bought and cleared away the very
unsightly building on the corner adjoining the church and
has erected the two handsome church towers and put in
the church the beautiful stained glass windows, and con-
structed the large sacristy. It is now one of the fine
churches of the city.

ST. mart's church

St. Mary's Church came about as a result of a division of
the Holy Family Church. This parish had become very
large and popular and in order better to meet the needs
Bishop McQuaid established St. Mary's of the Assump-
tion, the Rev. Thomas Meagher being appointed the first
pastor. For a short period of time services were held in a
small building on State Street, but soon after Tillman's
Hall was rented and services were conducted in the hall
until the basement of the new church could be put in
condition to use.

Shortly after this the lot upon which the church now
stands was purchased and a small wooden building was
erected in which to hold services. The Rev. Dr. Myles
J. Laughlin became the rector in September, 1869, by
which time the Congregation had grown to the extent that

^i

JOHN O CONNOR

\

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 105

a new and larger church was demanded. Dr. LaughUn at
once took steps toward the erection of the new church.
It was a problem very difficult to work out, in view of the
great cost of the proposed church, and the limited re-
sources. The church at the corner of Clark and Green
streets was begun, however, in 1871. After much labor
and effort the handsome stone structure was completed
and dedicated in 1877 by the Bishop at a cost of $60,000.
In 1877, Father Laughlin retired and soon thereafter
Father William Mulheron was appointed to the rectorship,
and served with great usefulness and ability until his death
in February, 1913.

Father Mulheron was a zealous and earnest worker.
When he assumed the duties as pastor, the church was
swamped with debt, yet he paid off the indebtedness and
made many new additions and improvements. He erected
the parochial school building at a cost of $8,000 and paid
a mortgage of $6,000. He bought additional land and
fixtures and fittings for the interior of the church. St.
Mary's is now one of the fine churches of the city.

ST. ALPHONSUS' CHURCH

This Church was established in 1853 when about twenty
German Catholics expressed a desire to have a church of
their own, presided over by a German pastor. For a short
time some of the Redemptionist Fathers from Rochester
visited Auburn and performed services. Finally in 1854
a small wooden church was erected on Wall street and
Rev. Jacob Kanze was installed as pastor. He remained
only a short time, however, and the church was then for

106 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

sometime without a pastor. In 1855 the Bishop appointed
Rev. Dom Giiymer as rector but he too remained only a
short time. So it went on until 1869 the services being
conducted from time to time by the Redemptionist
Fathers.

In the sixties the parish purchased the brick church in
Water street which had been erected by the Adventist
and in 1866 the Sacrament of Confirmation was adminis-
tered. In 1869 Rev. Charles Vogel became pastor, and
through his efforts many improvements were made. The
parish maintains a well equipped school. The church has
had some strong and well educated priests and it has
grown and broadened. Rev. Herbert Regenbogen is now
pastor.

ST. ALOYSIUS CHURCH

One of the younger Catholic churches is that of St.
Aloysius situated on Van iVnden street. It was organized
in 1901 by the Rev. John McGrath who has been its pastor
since the church's foundation. It has already grown to be
a prosperous and active parish.

Rev. Father McGrath has added a school, a convent
and a parish hall.

ST. hyacinth's church

The newest Catholic church was organized in 1905 to
provide a place of worship for the Polish residents of the
city. In 1906 a new Church was erected at a cost of
$30,000. In combination with this is the parish school.
Rev. H. J. Szupa is the pastor. The church has a con-
siderable membership.

CHAPTER V

HISTORY — INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE NEWSPAPERS

|HE history begins again at the year 1812. This
year happens to be especially memorable
because it marked the beginning of the second
war — the War of 1812, in which many
Auburnians had an active part.
The military spirit seems to have been a conspicuous
element in the life and history of Auburn. In what de-
gree, if any, this is due to the fact that the town was estab-
lished on Military land and founded by a military man, it
is difficult to state. At any rate, it has been the center of
military activity and has furnished to the State and the
Nation many distinguished military men.

In the War of 1812 Auburn sent out four companies of
militia and one company of regulars. At this time there
were four companies quartered in Auburn, first, a cavalry
company which had been recruited as early as 1804 by
Capt. Trowbridge Allen. It seems to have been a very
popular company, due in some measure, to the attractive
uniforms of the men which had many gaudy decorations
thereon. At the time of going into service the company
was in command of Capt. Bradley Tuttle.

Then there was an infantry company whose date of
organization was 1806. It was composed of a stalwart
lot of men who promptly answered to the call to assemble

108 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

on the Jesse Reed farm two miles west of Auburn.
Edward Stevenson was the first captain of the company,
but as to its commander in 1812 there is no available
record.

The artillery company was organized by Capt. Thomas
Mumford, and at the time of the War was in command of
Capt. John H. Cumpston. Many of these men saw
actual service at Niagara Falls and other points in that
vicinity.

There was also a company of regulars raised in Auburn
for service in the war. The company was for a time quar-
tered in wooden barracks in Genesee street, but finally was
sent to Sacketts Harbor, there becoming a part of Gen.
Pike's expedition against upper Canada.

Another company that achieved much distinction in the
War was the company known as the Rifles, under com-
mand of Capt. John Richardson. This company also
went to Niagara and became a part of Gen. Brown's
command. Captain Richardson's Rifles did valiant ser-
vice and won great honor. For Col. Richardson's brave
part in the campaign he was promoted to the rank of
Colonel.

On two or three occasions during this war period terror
was spread through Auburn and vicinity by the report
that the British soldiers were on American soil and were
headed for Auburn, but a diligent search by the band of
volunteers sent out failed to reveal a single member of
the enemy's troops. However, Auburn could very
reasonably indulge in some vain glory on account of the
part it took in the affair.

HOLY FAMILY (r. C.) CHURCH

("Q^LilJ

UO.V.. :<

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 109

John H. Cumpston and Egbert Bratt about 1810 suc-
ceeded to the proprietorship of the early store estabUshed
by James O'Brien upon the City Hall site. Mr. Bratt's
wife was Sarah Grandin of Freehold, N. J. They had one
daughter, Mary A. Bratt, born in 1808. She became the
wife of John H. Cumpston. Their only son was a Presby-
terian clergyman who died in xA.lexandria, Virginia. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Bratt died in Auburn and were buried in the
North street burying ground. John H. Cumpston was a
prominent merchant and business man for many years.

About 1813 or 1814 the distillery built on the bank of the
Outlet by Frederick T. Clute in a flood time was carried
down the stream and with it went many barrels of his
choicest whiskey. In the early twenties the old Cham-
plain Tavern on North street was converted into a manu-
factory of spinning wheels. It was run by horse power,
and gave employment to several people.

In 1812 Shadrach Terry had a wagon shop on the
ground on Genesee street now occupied by the residence of
Mr. Frederick Allen, and Abel Terry, his brother, built a
blacksmith shop and residence on the opposite side of the
street, not far from where the Government building is
now situated. Daniel Elliot, a carpenter and builder,
became a resident about this time and was an active builder
of houses and factory buildings.

In December 1812 the Auburn Literary Association
was organized with John Sawyer as president and David
Brinkerhoff, Eleazer Hills and Anselm H. Howland
trustees. The Association seems to have been active
and beneficial as a means of education and mental develop-

110 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

ment. It had as members many of the leading citizens
who made it a valuable society for several years.

In 1815 Auburn had yet begun only in an indifferent
way to lift itself out of the mud. The streets had been
somewhat improved, yet in a great part of them a mud
scow was still a safer mode of travel than by wagon. The
recent war and the passing of many troops over the roads,
however, had added not a little to their generally impas-
sable condition. North street, having been the first
street laid out in 1797, was the best thoroughfare in the
village. It was the main thoroughfare too for a consider-
able number of years. When the toll gates came into
vogue, there was one located on this street near what
was called North Brook bridge. Capt. Nathaniel Gers-
ham kept it for many years and became a well known
figure in his little house along the almost bottomless mud
pike.

Genesee street at this time was also swathed in mud
and mire. There were few sidewalks, except in the little
business center extending from the outlet west to the
corner of Court street. Beyond that point boards and
other pieces of timber were placed along the street as a
protection against being lost in the mud. Still, the streets
were being improved as time and means permitted. Gene-
see street at that time presented quite the appearance of a
business thoroughfare.

From the eastern to the western end of the district
there were well up towards 40 business institutions of
one kind or another. The buildings as yet were practically
all of wooden construction. Between John street on the

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 111

east and the outlet were Chauncey Dibble's blacksmith
shop, Henry Ammerman's Inn, DeMarree's cabinet
shop, Seth Burgess hat shop, and the old mill along the
Outlet. From the Outlet westward to South and North
streets were Hyde & Beach store, the Center House,
Austin S. Rowland's hat shop, Swift's store, the Western
Federalist printing office, Russell's jewelry store, Oli-
phant's tailor shop and Eleazer Hills grocery store, also
R. & J. Patty's tannery, Jeffries' chair factory, Silas
Hawley's tannery, Joseph Colt and Samuel Cumpston's
stores, Cornelius Irving's saddlery shop, Ganley & Smith's
drug store, and the old frame school house. West of this
there were Horace Hill's store, Bostwick's tavern, Henry
Porter's and Peter Hughes' store, Dr. Hackaliah Burt's
residence, the small office of Eben Hoskins, Grover &
Fitch's jewelry store, Noble's store, Eldad Steel's store,
Abel Leroy's organ shop, Thomas Finn's tailor shop,
Miller's blacksmith shop, and Shadrack Terry's wagon
shop. There were about three brick buildings on the
street. The population of Auburn was about one
thousand.

It was in 1815 that Auburn was first incorporated.
The area of territory then included in the corporate limits
was one-fourth as much territory as that covered by the
city today. That is to say, it included nine hundred
acres, whereas at present there are 3600 acres within the
city.

The village was incorporated by an act of the Legisla-
ture dated April 18th of that year. John H. Beach was
then a member of the Legislature and it was through

112 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

his efforts that the enactment was secured. The first
village election was held on the first Monday in May.
A president, five trustees, three assessors, a village clerk
and a treasurer were elected. The first board of trustees
was as follows: Joseph Colt, president, Enos T. Throop,
Bradley Tuttle, Lyman Paine and David Hyde. The
presidents of the village from the year of its incorporation
to the time Auburn became a city in 1848, were as follows :

VILLAGE PRESIDENTS OF AUBURN 1815-1848

Joseph Colt, May 1815-1817; David Brinkerhoff,
1817-1818; Horace Hills, 1818-1819; David Hyde, 1819-
1822; John Grover, 1822-1824; William Bostwick, 1824-
1825; Allen Warden, 1825-1827; Warden also served
from May 2, 1831, to May 7, 1832, and April 8, 1829, to
April 14, 1840. Walter Weed, 1827-1828; Ezekial Wil-
liams, 1828-1830; Bradley Tuttle, 1830-1831; Truman
J. McMaster, 1832-1833; Amos Underwood, 1833-1834;
Asaph D. Leonard, 1834-1835; Michael S. Myers, 1835-
1836; Isaac S. Miller, April 12, 1836 to April 19, 1837;
Robert Minn, April 10, 1837 to January, 1838; John H.
Beach, iVpril 9, 1838 to April 8, 1839; Cyrus C. Dennis,
April 14, 1840 to April 10, 1843; John L. Watrous, April
10, 1843 to April 8, 1844; George B. Chase, April 8, 1844
to April 14, 1846; Ethan A. Warden, April 14, 1846 to
April 12, 1847; Daniel Hewson, April 12, 1847 to April 10,
1848.

With a real corporate life, with governmental power
fixed and established. Auburn was better circumstanced
to adopt measures for self betterment. One of the first

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 113

elemental needs in a town is some means of fire protection.
To this end the trustees at once ordered that every
household should constitute itself a fire brigade, in so
much as having at hand four buckets, and that every
owner of a building should provide as many leather
buckets as there were fire places in the building, and also
a ladder, all of which were to be a part of the village fire
department.

Soon after this the first fire engine was purchased in
New York, which after much delay reached Auburn by
teams from Newburg, shipment west of this point being
impossible on account of the ice in the Hudson river.
The official fire department was made up of the village
president as chief, while the trustees by authority of
ordinance were to carry canes and command the bucket
brigade, and the fire wardens gathered up the scattered
buckets and delivered them to the fire fighters. The
duty of the other wing of the department was to pump
the fire engine.

This was Auburn's first fire department, and it was the
foundation for the department which today is one of the
best equipped and most efficient of any city of equal size
in the state.

These advance steps gave Auburn prestige in the
western part of the State, so that in 1816 when the State
authorities were seeking a location for a prison, the claims
of Auburn were favorably regarded. John Beach being
then 'member of the Assembly the interests of Auburn
were sedulously looked after. In the final consideration
of the various locations proposed Auburn was selected.

114 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Samuel Dill, David Hyde, John H. Beach, and E. S.
Beach donated the site comprising about six acres and
one-half of land upon which the prison now stands.
The main building and the outside wall to a height of
four feet were completed in 1816. It was opened for the
reception of convicts in the winter of 1817. For many
years subsequent to the completion of the prison an
armory was maintained upon the outer wall, being located
at the corner. Out of this grew, a few years later, what
was known as the "Old Auburn Guard," which was for
some time under the command of Capt. Joseph Colt.

It is interesting to note here that Brigham Young
about this time, was a chair maker in Jeffries' little shop
on Genesee street near the Outlet, and there is added
interest in the fact that his compatriot and kindred spirit
in the religious nostrum business, "Joe" Smith, was at the
same time a resident of Geneva. Thus it was that the
honor between the respective towns was evenly divided.

In 1816 there was begun an active movement toward
the building of sidewalks in the village. Many wooden
walks were laid comprising every style, width and manner
of construction, but these were a vast improvement over
the mud walks. About this time too the Genesee street
hill at North and South streets was graded down about
twelve feet.

GEORGE UNDERWOOD

Among the lawyers, who settled in Auburn during these
years was George Underwood who became prominent in
his profession and in town affairs. Mr. Underwood was
born January 4, 1816, at Cooperstown, N. Y. His father,

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 115

Amos Underwood, moved with his family to Auburn in
1819, and purchased the property at the corner of Genesee
and Court streets, known for many years as the Under-
wood homestead. Since that time on the family has been
resident in Auburn and identified with its life and welfare.
George Underwood was graduated from Hamilton Col-
lege in 1838, and was Salutatorian of his class. He was
one of the founders and an enthusiastic member of the
Alpha Delta Phi fraternity and took active part in
the establishment of the Hobart chapter of that
society.

After leaving college, he studied law, and after his
admission to the bar engaged in the practise of his profes-
sion in Auburn. By his industry, ability and fidelity he
rapidly attracted important clients, and built up and
retained a large and successful law business. The New
York Central Railroad, the Bank of Auburn, and many
other large interests were represented by him and his
firm for several years prior to his death. He was elected
member of the assembly from Cayuga County in the years
1850-1851, and Mayor of Auburn in 1854. He was a
member and one of the elders of the First Presbyterian
church, and deeply interested in its welfare. He was
active also in Auburn's educational and charitable institu-
tions, and was always a loyal friend and supporter of
Hamilton College, his "alma mater."

Mr. Underwood died at Auburn, May 25, 1859. In the
presentation to the Supreme Court of resolutions adopted
by the bar of Cayuga County, on the occasion of his
death, it was said of him :

116 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

"It is not alone as a member of the profession he had
chosen and so assiduously pursued, that he will be missed.
Ardently as he followed that he found time for the dis-
charge of other claims upon him. As a Christian he had
the love, confidence and respect of the church with which
he was in communion and fellowship. As a philanthropist
he was interested in all the benevolent and humane
measures of the day, and as a citizen he was among the
first in sustaining and promoting matters of public
interest — controlled by a good heart an enlightened mind
— generous and liberal in his views — charitable to the
needy, and kind to all."

^NEWSPAPERS — 1808 TO 1913

Auburn had a population of about 400 when Henry
and James Pace, two Englishmen, located in the village
and began the publication of the first newspaper, the
Western Federalist, on June 7, 1808. The fact that they
were Englishmen contributed in some degree at that
time to making them persona nongrata in the community.
Still, they ran a very acceptable little folio weekly news-
paper, printed on colored paper.

The Federalist office was in a small building standing on
Genesee street near the site of the present Cayuga County
National Bank. The paper seems to have had some
standing and considerable support. The Pace Brothers
conducted the Western Federalist until 1816, at which
time the Auburn Gazette came in and helped to put the
Federalist out of business.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 117

The Cayuga Tocsin had its birth at Union Springs,
by R. T. Chamberlain, in 1812, but in a short time it
was moved to Auburn. It seems to have had a fitful and
brief career, however.

The Cayuga Patriot was launched in the village in
1814 by Samuel R. Brown. The Patriot was Democratic
in politics and gained much favor and prestige as an
opposition to the Federalist. The Patriot's quarters were
in a dingy room over a wagon shop on Lumber lane, now
Osborne street.

Mr. Brown was an odd character, it is said, yet not
without some streak of genius. His activities were never
strenuous, and in disposition he always maintained an
equable temperature. If his paper in any week hap-
pened to be three days late in getting out, he remained
calm and peaceful. His wife, so Hon. Thurlow Weed
said after serving an apprenticeship in the Patriot oflSce,
was very like him in all these respects. If she failed to
have dinner one day, why, she was quite sure to have it
the next day. In either event she was unruffled on ac-
count of it as was Mr. Brown. This, however, was not
conducive in any noticeable degree to the cheerfulness
and happiness of the apprentices and the "printer's
devil."

In 1817 the Patriot passed to James Beardsley and
David Rumsey, and two years later U. F. Doubleday
purchased the plant. Doubleday possessed ability and
had had some experience in newspaper making. He
published a very good paper, it is said, and built up a
profitable business during the eight years of his owner-

118 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

ship of the plant. In 1827 Isaac S. Allen became his
partner in the business and they together published a
strong paper and won popularity throughout the county.
Mr. Doubleday was elected a member of Congress in
1830 and soon thereafter Mr. Allen purchased his interest
in the publication. He continued it alone until 1833
when Willett Lounsbury entered into partnership with
him, the firm name being Allen & Lounsbury. Louns-
bury died 1843 at which time Mr. Allen became sole
owner again.

In 1845 Doubleday purchased the plant and again
carried on the Patriot for one year, at which time he
removed from town. The paper was then sold to Henry
A. Hawes and Henry M. Stone. In 1847 the Patriot
was consolidated with the Tocsin, under the name of the
Cayuga New Era.

The Auburn Gazette was started in June, 1816, by
Thomas M. Skinner and William Crosby. They met
with a very good measure of success, both being active,
capable men. After one year the name was changed to
that of the Cayuga Republican, and politically it was run
in the interest of the Clinton faction. Frederick Prince
was also connected with the Republican and later became
its publisher, although Mr. Skinner was the owner after
Mr. Crosby's death in 1818. Thomas M. Skinner,
continued the Republican until 1833 at which time it was
merged with the Free Press, taking the name of the Auburn
Journal and Advertiser. Out of this developed the Auburn
Daily Advertiser of the present, which was begun as a
daily paper in 1846. The Advertiser has been a strong

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 119

paper since its foundation, an earnest exponent of the
Republican party and its principles.

The Free Press had been started in 1824 by Richard
Oliphant. He edited the paper ably and had a success-
ful business up to the time of its consolidation with the
Republican in 1833. Mr. Oliphant continued for some
time with Journal and Advertiser.

The Evangelical Recorder was started in January, 1818,
by the Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, then pastor of the First
Presbyterian church, as editor and Thomas M. Skinner
as the publisher. It lived one year. Henry C. South-
wick in 1818 began the publication of the Advocate of the
People, which died in its infancy.

The Gospel Messenger was launched in 1827 by the
Rev. John C. Rudd, rector of St. Peters church. The
Gospel Messenger was a weekly paper and was printed in
a little building then standing on the church lot. Dr.
Rudd was a forceful writer and a man of much literary
ability. The paper a little later, however, was moved
out of town.

The Gospel Advocate was another started by Doubleday
& Allen in 1828. It was edited by the Rev. L. S. Everitt,
Universalist minister, and was a semi-monthly. It ran
three years.

The Diamond began in 1830 and continued a very short
time.

Frederick Prince in 1834 began the publication of the
Cayuga Democrat. It failed to make any great success
and was discontinued after about one year. Then in
1835 Mr. Prince started the Auburn Miscellany. In

120 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

1839 the printing plant was sold to Francis G. Wiggins
who changed the name of the paper to the Western Banner,
which was sold in 1841 to the Methodist Book Concern
and went to New York.

In 1838 Mr. Prince began the publication of the Auburn
Daily News, an undertaking that required unusual courage
at that period. Auburn had not more than five thousand
population and the country adjacent was thinly settled.

The News struggled along for a few months and died.
The plant was sold to the Western Banner.

The Primitive Christian was started in 1835 by Rev.
Silas E. Shepard as an exponent of the Disciple faith.
The Primitive Christian devoted much space to the
discussion of religious beliefs, and particularly that of the
Disciples. It continued with vigor for a period of six
years. The Chronicles, a series of critical articles, were
also written about the same time by Rev. Mr. Shepard.

The People's Library was started in 1836 by Francis
S. Wiggins and ran a very short time and there was also
the Conference Record in 1837, by Rev. J. S. Chamberlain.

In 1839 another Cayuga Tocsin was started as an organ
of the Free S oilers. It was a bright and well edited paper
which wielded much influence through the country.

The Northern Advocate was started in April, 1841, by
Rev. John E. Robie, with Rev. F. G. Hibbard and William
Hosmer as editors. It was at that time a private enter-
prise and so continued until 1844 when it was purchased
by the JNIethodist General Conference and became the
Northern Christian Advocate. For 28 years thereafter
the paper was published in Auburn. It had many able

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 121

editors. Rev. William Hosmer was its editor from 1848
to 1856. In its early period the paper was published in
the basement of the First Methodist church, which stood
at the corner of Water and North streets. At the end of
28 years the Northern Christian Advocate was moved to
Syracuse.

In 1845 L. W. Dewey started the Star of Temperance.

The Tocsin in 1846 closely followed the Advertiser in
the publication of a daily issue. Richard Oliphant,
however, soon sold his plant to Henry Montgomery, who
continued both the daily and weekly until 1848, when he
assigned the property to Charles T. Ferris, who in 1849
sold a half interest to George W'. Peck and Oscar F.
Knapp, Peck and Montgomery acting as editors.

The Cayuga New Era was started in June, 1847, by
Merritt Stone & Co., with Thomas Y. Howe, Jr., as
editor. These publishers were succeeded by Stone, Hawes
& Co., later Finn and Hallett, and finally William L.
Finn, who discontinued the publication in 1857.

The Auburn Daily Bnlletin was started first as a cam-
paign journal in 1848 by Hawes & Co. Auburn's Favorite,
1847, by N. P. Caulkins, the Masonic Union by Finley M.
King in 1850; the Spiritual and Moral Instructor, 1857;
The Farmer and Mechanic, 1856 afterwards changed to
the Teacher's Educational Journal and the Spiritual
Clarion, 1857 were all of brief existence.

In 1851 the Christian Ambassador, which had been
published in New York, was moved to Auburn. It was
continued about twelve years under the editorship of
Rev. J. M. Austin, a very able writer. It was a Universa-

122 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

list denominational publication. The Rev. T. J. Sawyer
was its editor during the later period of its life in Auburn.
The publication was finally moved to New York again.

The Auburn American was started in February, 1855,
by William J. Moses. It was a daily and weekly. In
1859 the name was changed to the Daily and Weekly
Union, Moses & Vail then being the publishers. The
Union was continued until March, 1861, when it was sold
to Knapp & Peck. Judge B. F. Hall was the editor-in-
chief of the Union and performed the work with
ability.

The Northern Independent was started in 1856 as an
anti-slavery paper. Rev. William Hosmer being the
active force in the undertaking. The Independent pleaded
the cause with great vigor and earnestness for several
years. When finally that issue was settled, the Independ-
ent was discontinued.

The Auburn Democrat, a weekly newspaper, was started
in 1857 by Stone, Hawes & Co. They continued the
publication until Mr. Stone's death five years later.
The plant was then sold to William S. Hawley who issued
for about one year and a half a paper called the Spirit of
the Times. M. Hawley attempted to establish a daily
at that time but the venture was soon abandoned.

The People's Union, a political reform advocate, was
started in 1862. Michael S. Myers, Warren T. Warden
and C. L. Adams were interested in the publication. The
paper had a brief existence, however.

The McClelland Banner by P. W. Rhodes and C. L.
Adams, was published a short time in 1864.

PI

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 123

The Semi-Weekly Herald was published for a few months
in 1865. It was a Democratic paper run by N. T. Hack-
staff and G. E. Bostwick.

Still another weekly paper known as the Democrat
was brought out in September, 1868, by Charles F. Dur-
ston & Co. The following year the paper was sold to
William J. Moses who continued the publication about
four years.

The x^uburn Morning News was launched in July, 1868.
The undertaking included also a weekly edition. The
publishers were Dennis Brothers & Thorne. In the
matter of talent the paper was well equipped. William
H. Barnes was editor-in-chief, Charles A. Warden, city
editor and Theodore H. Schenck, literary editor. But
the enterprise was sorely handicapped by lack of news-
paper experience.

The News was Republican in politics and it advocated
the party's cause with much vigor. It failed, however,
to do sufficient business to make the proposition profitable,
and after the expenditure of a large amount of money
and great energy, it was discontinued in January,
1871.

Meanwhile, in February, 1870, the Auburn Daily
Bulletin was launched by K. Vail & Co., with William J.
Moses as the controlling force in the enterprise. The
paper was published in his establishment.

The Bulletin was an independent evening newspaper
and had to make its way in the field already preempted
by the Advertiser. William J. Moses was the editor and
Charles A. Caulkins, city editor.

124 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

In 1872 there was published from the same plant and
conducted by the same staff, the Morning News, Mr.
Moses bemg editor of this also. The A'ews was carried
on until 1878, at which time the impossibility of making
it a paying proposition had been demonstrated. In view
of this the Neivs was consolidated with the Bulletin,
bearing the name of the News- Bulletin.

Mr. Moses assumed the business conduct of the com-
bined newspaper, being then succeeded in the editorial
duties by Mr. Edward M. Allen.

In June, 1877, an evening paper called the Item was
started by Urbam S. Benton. This a little later became
the Auhurnian. The Auhurnian continued until 1885
when this too was merged with the Neivs-Bulletin, becom-
ing the News-Bulletin- Auhurnian .

But in 1844 still another evening paper entered the
field. This struggled along for a short time against three
other evening papers, and finally its publisher, realizing
the impossibility of its future success as an afternoon
paper, changed it to a morning paper. The Morning
Dispatch had the United Press News service which,
added to its efficiency in covering the local news field,
made the Dispatch a very creditable newspaper. It then
struggled on until 1890 when it passed over, after its
publishers had sunk a large amount of money in the
undertaking.

1^" (Finally through the efforts of Mr. Charles F. Rattigan
the Daily Citizen was born. Mr. Rattigan began work
on the Dispatch in 1884, and was with the Bulletin many
years as its editor. Upon the launching of the Citizen

ISAAC S. ALLEN, ESQ.

^^— ,»v.-tirs>«s'^i>^>=^i ■■'

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 125

a stock company was formed composed mainly of Thomas
M, Osborne and Charles F. Rattigan. This company
absorbed the Bulletin plant and established a modern news-
paper establishment on Dill street. The Citizen is now
an excellent up-to-date newspaper.

BOOKS AND BOOK PUBLISHERS

In the book making world iVuburn had had in times
past some distinguished publishers, and some notable
works have been issued from the several publishing
houses at various times.

The first book publishers were Derby, Miller & Co.,
who began in 1848. The firm was composed of James C.
Derby, Norman C. Miller and James B. Thompson. This
firm published many of the school books in vogue at that
time, and, besides, brought out other works of a literary
and scientific character.

In May, 1855, Mr. Thompson retired from the firm and
three new members came in. They were Elliott G.
Storke, Edward Munson and Charles F. Coffin. Soon
after this the Company opened a large retail store in
Bufl^alo. The firm were capable publishers and carried
on a successful business, being then among the largest
book publishers in the State west of New York. Among
the books they published were some written by Horace
Greely, Richard Hildredth and Fanny Fern.

The second book publishing house was that of Alden &
Markham 1852. They started in a very small way but
expanded rapidly, soon adding a book binder to their
plant. In a little time John E. Beardsley became a

126 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

member of the firm, and a little later David Foote and R.
W. Magner entered the concern as partners. When
Mr. Beardsley bought an interest in the business the firm
name became Alder, Beardsley & Co. ^

The firm of Alder, Beardsley & Co., did a prosperous
business and gave employment to a considerable number
of people. They published Bibles, biographical, and mis-
cellaneous works which had sale throughout the country.
The firm published a history of the Mexican War which
had a wide sale, also the works of John Quincy Adams
and the Life of the Empress Josephine.

In those days a large amount of print paper was made
in Auburn and the large output of the two book publish-
ing houses made it possible for the manufacturers to
market the greater part of their product at home.

Henry Ivison, who afterward became one of the great
book publishers of the country, began his career in Auburn
and the suggestion of his future life work and in great
measure the foundation of his eminent success, came
from the years of experience in book publishing during
his early life in the village. Mr. Ivison went to New
York and there the name of Ivison & Phinney and later
Ivison & Blakeman were among the best known in the
world of books and book publishers.

ISAAC S. ALLEN

Among the early residents of Auburn who were promi-
nently identified with newspaper publishing and books
was Isaac S. Allen, Esq. Mr. Allen was born in the town
of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County, N. Y., on the fifth

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 127

day of January, 1804. He was the oldest of five children
of Samuel and Rachel Buffett Allen. His father was a
manufacturer of hats, and afterwards resided in Danbury,
Conn., also Zanesville, Ohio, Five generations back the
family came from Devonshire, England, and settled at
Dartmouth, Rhode Island, now Dartmouth, Massa-
chusetts. Rachel Buffett was born at Huntington,
Long Island. The family were Huguenots from France.
In the fifteenth year of his age Mr. Isaac S. Allen went to
Bridgeport, Conn., to learn the printer's trade in the ofiice
of the Bridgeport Farmer, published by Stiles W. Nichols.
He served an apprenticeship of five years and during this
time Mr. Nichols bought the Norwalk Gazette, and the
Bridgeport office was removed to Norwalk. At the age
of a little over twenty years and six months, for faithful
service, Mr. Allen was given six months of his time, a
new suit and twenty -five dollars in money. He was
also given a recommendation which read as follows:
"May 1st, 1824. This will certify that the bearer, Isaac
S. Allen, has served an apprenticeship to the printing
business at this office and being now in search of employ-
ment, he is recommended to the craft as a faithful, steady,
and correct workman, and in whom full confidence and
trust may be placed. As a compositor he is unusually
correct. S. W. Benedict, Gazette Office, Norwalk, Con-
necticut."

From Norwalk, Mr. Allen went to New York, where he
remained two years, part of the time in the Bible House
working on a French Bible. A part of this time he was
in the same office with John and James Harper who be-

128 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

came the noted publishers. August 16th, 1824, he
witnessed the landing of Gen. Lafayette at Castle Garden
upon his second visit to this country. Mr. Allen left
New York in 1826 and came by steamboat to Albany,
thence by stage to Schenectady and canal boat to Syra-
cuse and Rochester. After a little time in looking for
a situation there he heard of a vacancy in the Republican
office in Auburn, and therefore he at once reached Auburn
by stage. Upon his arrival he called on Thomas M.
Skinner, and after giving assurance as to ability and
character, he was introduced to his office in the capacity
of foreman.

April 1st, 1827, he became a partner of N.F. Doubleday
in publishing the Cayuga Patriot. Soon after entering
into this partnership Mr. Allen bought Mr. Doubleday's
interest and published the paper alone. In December,
1833, he associated with him Willett Lounsbury as a
partner, which continued until the death of Mr. Louns-
bury in May, 1843. From that date until June, 1845, Mr.
Allen continued the paper alone again for a time, and sold
it to his former partner Doubleday. During his partner-
ship with Doubleday and Lounsbury they published a
religious monthly for six years, called the Primitive
Christian, and also the Gospel Advocate for three years.

Meanwhile Mr. Allen was much interested and active in
all village affairs and rendered valuable service in various
capacities. He served fifteen years with old fire engine
company. No. 2 and has his discharge dated March 9th,
1841, and signed by C. C. Dennis, president, and Fred-
erick Prince, secretary of the department. On the 18th

HON. ENOS T. THROOP

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 129

of August 1831, he married Susan Mott, daughter of
Joseph and Abigal Mott of Skaneateles, and formerly of
New York City. They had two sons and two daughters,
Ehzabeth, Henry M., Frederick and Susan. Neither of
the daughters married. Susan died in 1902 and Elizabeth
in 1911. Henry M. married Sarah T. Chubbuck of
Binghamton, by whom there were two daughters, Susan
Mott and Mary Louise. He died in October 1865. The
widow and oldest daughter resided in Binghamton. The
younger daughter has been twice married, first to Mr.
Henry Hayes of Newark, New Jersey, and afterwards to
Dr. W. W. Gilfillan of New York, where they reside. The
youngest son Frederick married Harriett A. Grandine of
Waterford, Saratoga County, N. Y., by whom there are
two sons, Henry M., and Frederick G. On November 7,
1831, Isaac S. Allen and wife began housekeeping in the
house No. 170 W. Genesee street, where they resided for
fifty years and celebrated their golden wedding. Mr.
Allen served twenty -five years as a director in the National
Bank of Auburn, and for several years on the Discount
committee. He was for thirty-two years a trustee of the
Auburn Savings Bank, eleven years of which time he was
on the finance committee, nineteen years on the auditing
committee and the years 1879 and 1880 as treasurer of the
bank. He settled a number of estates, among them
those of Dr. L. Bigelow, David Madden, also his wife's,
and that of Judge Charles B. Perry. He also had charge
of the Corning property, and at the end of fourteen years
had turned over to Erastus Corning, of Albany, one
hundred thousand dollars from his Auburn property.

130 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Mr. Allen was one of the twelve trustees who in-
corporated Fort Hill Cemetery Association, the 16th of
May, 1851, and served about two years as secretary and
treasurer, while the grounds were being laid out and was
also a contributor to the fund for the erection of the Logan
monument. He died October 10th, 1881.

CHAPTER VI

HISTORY — BANKS AND BANKERS

|N 1815 there was organized in Auburn the
first Bible Society in the State of New
York. It antedated the American Bible
Society by more than a year. Its title
was the Cayuga Bible Society. Its mem-
bers included many of the leading citizens of Auburn,
besides having others scattered throughout the County.
The object was to spread Christianity and work for the
social and moral uplift of the community. The Society
did efficient service for several years.

In 1818 Dr. Richard Steel organized the first Sunday
School in Auburn. The pupils were the colored residents
of the village. Henry Ammerman and Prof. Noble D.
Strong were associated with Dr. Steel in the work. The
school was carried on successfully for several years.

About the same date the Auburn Female Charitable
Society was formed for the purpose of giving aid in an
orderly and systematic manner to those who were worthy
of help in the County. The Society was active for a
time but finally disintegrated.

The influence of these beneficial organizations seems
to have reached Albert Hagaman, a barber in the village,
for he announced in the public prints that he had a desire
to attend Sunday School and to make this possible he

132 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

would serve his customers on Sundays thereafter until
nine o'clock in the morning, the hour in those days for
Sunday School.

Judge Elijah Miller and John N. Beach in 1814 began
the erection of a cotton goods mill, the first mill of the
kind established in the village. In 1822 the plant was
sold and became a corporation, with Alvah Warden,
president, and Robert Wiltsie, secretary.

Robert Muir, Geo. B. Throop, and Nathaniel Garrow
built the large mill in 1827, Mr. Muir being the most
active member in the enterprise. The product of the
mill was mainly bed ticking, of which they turned out a
great quantity. The business was carried on success-
fully until the financial depression of 1837 which brought
disaster to every section of the country. After this the
mill passed to several owners up to 1853, when L. W. Nye
bought the property, leasing it to Messrs. Howlett &
Bailey, who did a successful business for a long period of
time.

AUBURN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

The Auburn Theological Seminary had its inception
as early as 1817, and quite likely a little earlier still.
It has not been conceded that any one person first con-
ceived the idea of establishing a seminary at Auburn.
However, if to any one person such honor can be given,
the Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, an early pastor of the First
Presbyterian church, probably is entitled to it.

The Rev. Dr. Lansing became pastor of the First
church in 1816 and it is said that prior to this, when he
was pastor of a church at Onondaga Valley, he was

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 133

nursing the idea or thought of a theological seminary
in the region of which Auburn was the center. Upon
becoming a resident of Auburn, Dr. Lansing entered
into the spirit of the project with stronger heart and a
hope of having his conception become a reality. To this
end he presented the matter to various ones of his ac-
quaintances and the encouragement received gave him
heart to publicly launch the project.

About this time there was a movement on foot by the
Presbyterian General Assembly to establish a series of
six or more seminaries in various parts of the western
country, and it so happened that the Auburn Seminary
was the first one among them to have an actual existence.
Dr. Lansing first proposed the matter to the Presbytery
of Cayuga, and finally in February, 1818, it was laid before
the Synod at Rochester, and it was there decided to
establish a seminary. The General Assembly was non-
committal in the matter, but at a meeting held in Auburn
the following August the Synod voted to go forward with
the undertaking. It was decided further that the Seminary
should be located in Auburn, provided the citizens donate
a site and raise a building fund of $35,000.

The citizens of Auburn met the demand in a generous
spirit. Early in 1819 the stipulated amount of money
has been subscribed and the heirs of Col. John L. Harden-
bergh had donated six acres of land for a site. The charter
of the institution was granted by the legislature April 14,
1820, and the corner stone of the first building was laid
on the 11th of May following. The board of trustees
was organized one month later. Dr. Davis was chosen

134 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

first president of the board, and Rev. Caleb Alexander
president of the board of commissioners.

The faculty was then selected and Auburn Theological
Seminary opened to students in the fall of 1821. There
was only the one building at the start. This was con-
structed of Cayuga County limestone, and was quite
an imposing building, facing Seminary street, with broad
grounds reaching from the street to the building. A
wing was added to this building in 1830. In 1874, how-
ever, the wing of the first structure was razed to give place
for the new Morgan Hall, leaving the original building
intact. This stood until 1892.

It is said the Seminary was founded by the Geneva
Synod, but it has always been in control of the Presby-
terian church through the Presbyteries. The institution
is governed by 28 directors.

The first faculty was composed of three professors of
which the Rev. Matthew La Rue Perrine was the head.
Dr. Perrine, however, declined to accept at that time,
but took up the work in 1823. The Rev. Henry Mills, a
graduate of Princeton, was another member, and the
third was the Rev. Dirck C. Lansing. Later Dr. Lansing
became a trustee and served the institution with great
fidelity.

The faculty was finally made up of the Rev. Dr. Lans-
ing, Dr. Mills, and in 1823 the Rev. James Richards, D.D.,
three strong men who proved to be of great value to the
institution. The number of students was small for a
time, but after the years 1823-1825 there was a rapid
increase in the student body. The year 1827 showed

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 135

an enrollment of 76. Since that time the number has
exceeded this. In 1835 Dr. Samuel Hanson Cox became
a member of the faculty and added much strength to it.
He filled the chair of sacred rhetoric and pastoral
theology. He remained only about three years, how-
ever.

Many changes and additions have been made in the
faculty from time to time during the years, but never
has its strength and efficiency been diminished. Repre-
sentatives of the Auburn Theological Seminary are now
found in almost every field of Christian work throughout
the world.

The Seminary, fortunately, has had the earnest sup-
port of many people of wealth who have donated money
for new buildings and endowed professorships in various
departments of the Seminary. Many of these donors
were Auburn citizens. Dr. Sylvester Willard, Miss
Willard, and Miss Caroline Willard, Col. E. A. Morgan,
Henry A. Morgan and others were friends and benefactors
of the staunchest kind. The many willing friends have
made possible the erection of the handsome buildings
which now adorn the beautiful grounds.

In 1899 Rev. George Black Stewart was chosen presi-
dent to succeed Dr. Booth, who died March 18, of that
year. Dr. Stewart is a graduate of Princeton University,
and also of the Seminary over which he now presides.
Today Auburn Theological Seminary has a representative
student body and is adequately equipped in the matter
of teachers and other facilities for carrying on the work
to which it is devoted.

136 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Abijah Fitch, who located in Auburn soon after 1820,
became a distinguished citizen and a factor in the material
advancement of the town. Mr. Fitch was born in
Cooperstown, N. Y., in 1800 and prior to settling in
Auburn he married Lanah Nelson, of Lansingburg, N. Y.
Mr. Fitch was an active and successful merchant for
many years and when the era of railroad building came,
he took a keen interest in the projects and did much to
aid in the undertakings. He was in all respects a useful
and exemplary citizen, and always held in the highest
esteem by his fellow townsmen.

It is said that the old Auburn Guards organized in the
early twenties chiefly as a prison guard, occupied for
many years the armory located upon the wall surrounding
the prison. The prison bell up to the thirties rang the
fire alarm in all cases of fire in the village.

AUBURN AND OWASCO CANAL COMPANY

As early as 1817, when the movement was first put on
-foot for the building of a waterway across the State
from Albany to Buffalo, Auburn citizens had every reason
for thinking that the route finally selected vrould lead
through the county seat and prison town. Auburn
was on the main thoroughfare between Albany and
Buffalo; it was the chief town in the western region,
besides, it was an active advancing business center with
a colony of progressive and capable business men. A
determined effort was made by the leading citizens, but,
as the result of certain influences in other parts of the
State, the Erie Canal was constructed through the

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 137

Montezuma swamps instead, leaving Auburn seven
miles to the south.

The failure to secure the main waterway inspired to a
great extent the project of building a canal from Auburn
to Port Byron to connect with the Erie. The plan, in
fact, involved a more extended undertaking, that of
establishing a waterway southward from Auburn through
the Outlet and Owasco lake and thence to the Susque-
hanna River. Along with this too was the scheme of
obtaining for Auburn a water supply from the lake.

Although the project was much discussed and can-
vassed in 1825 there was no concerted action until 1827.
At a meeting held then a committee was named for the
purpose of effecting the organization of a company to
undertake the work. Books were opened for subscrip-
tions to the stock of the company. One hundred thousand
dollars were subscribed and on the 31st day of July that
year a meeting was held at which the organization of
the Auburn and Owasco Canal Company was perfected.
Trustees were chosen as follows; Ezekiel Williams,
president, Hon. William H. Seward, secretary; Horace
Hills, treasurer; Archibald Green, Lyman Paine, Samuel
Cumpston, John Patty, Enos T. Throop, Abijah Fitch,
Alvah Warden. The company was duly incorporated
April 28, prior to this action.

Yet with this marked combination of ability and busi-
ness energy the great waterway, for sane and economic
reasons, never got far beyond the dream stage. A little
later the State was importuned to construct a steam
railroad northward to connect with the Erie Canal, but

138 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

the State already had a problem on its hands in the Dewitt
Clinton Ditch.

THE AUBURN MEDICAL COLLEGE

Another project which had its birth about the same
time as that of the Canal was the movement to establish
in Auburn a medical college. Dr. Erastus D. Tuttle in
1824 conceived the plan of a medical school and put it in
operation by opening on Genesee street that year the
Auburn Medical College. Dr. Tuttle was assisted by
Dr. Douglass and Dr. Ira H. Smith. A small building
was erected on Genesee street near the National Bank
of Auburn. This was a two story frame structure, the
first floor being devoted to study and the second floor to
lectures. The school opened with fifteen or more students
and ran along with a very substantial show of success.
However, as yet the college had no charter, and therefore
was n6t a legal institution. Meanwhile, William H.
Seward, George B. Throop and Horace Hills were ap-
pointed a committee to procure from the Legislature a
charter for the school. This was not granted and the
college faculty went on with the school until 1829,
at which time the Auburn Medical College ceased to exist.

HON. JOSEPH L. RICHARDSON

Hon. Joseph L. Richardson was among the earliest
members of the bar in Auburn. He migrated from
Frederick, Maryland, in 1806, and established himself
in the village before Auburn had the Court House. Enos
T. Throop settled in the village about the same time and

REV. DR. CHARLES HAWLEY

ipQIJHDi^'' '''■■■•■'■•■■■■■

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 139

Mr. Richardson entered into partnership with Mr. Throop
and they practised law together for nine or ten years.
They were young men then but they were both destined
later to attain distinction.

During his association with Mr. Throop, Mr. Richard-
son served as assistant attorney general of the State, and
in 1812 he was brigade paymaster for the Government
when the war was in progress. A little later he was
appointed United States District Attorney for the district
covering several counties in central New York. In 1827
Mr. Richardson was appointed Judge of the Court of
Common Pleas of Cayuga County and discharged the
duties with great credit for twenty years.

Judge Richardson was a man of strong character and
strong personality. He was thorough, painstaking and
faithful to every trust. In addition to his legal business
he was identified with many enterprises in the village,
and was equally as earnest in many good works. Judge
Richardson died in Auburn in 1855.

HON. SAMUEL BLATCHFORD

Judge Blatchford for ten years, beginning in 1845,
was a member of the Cayuga County bar and a resident
of Auburn. His residence was on South street. He was
a native of New York City where he received his educa-
tion. He was born in 1820 and graduated at Columbia
College in 1837. Five years later he was admitted as an
attorney to practise in the Courts of New York.

In 1845 Mr. Blatchford moved to Auburn and formed
a copartnership with Hon. William H, Seward and

140 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Christopher Morgan, under the firm name of Seward,
Morgan & Blatchford. Although then a young man,
Mr. Blatchford soon attained a prominent position as a
lawyer, adding strength to the firm of which he was a
member.

In 1854 Mr. Blatchford returned to New York and in
1867 was appointed United States District Judge for the
Southern District of New York. In 1878 he was ap-
pointed Federal Circuit Judge. Four years later he was
made associate Judge of the United States Supreme
Court. Judge Blatchford was a man of marked ability,
an able lawyer and jurist. He died in Newport, Rhode
Island, July 7, 1893.

HON. GEORGE RATHBUN

Another distinguished member of the early bar of
Auburn was Hon. George Rathbun. Mr. Rathbun.
located in the village when a young man and when
Auburn was a small village. His ability and practise
developed until he was regarded as being the leader of
the bar of the County. Mr. Rathbun was a much sought
counsellor, an able trial lawyer and always honest and
trustworthy. His legal business grew to great magnitude
for those days, extending, in fact, well over the State.
Throughout a long career Mr. Rathbun stood high as a
citizen and public official. From 1837 to 1841 he was
postmaster of Auburn and later was elected to represent
the district in Congress. The duties in connection with
these public trusts were discharged with signal ability
and faithfulness. Mr. Rathbun died in Auburn in 1870.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 141

George O. Rathbun, son of the above, was also a
lawyer of much more than average ability. His, too,
was a long and distinguished career in the practise of his
profession. The law firm of Wood & Rathbun enjoyed
a large business and also enjoyed the confidence of all
who employed them. Mr. Rathbun possessed many
qualities which marked him as a singularly strong lawyer.
His familiarity with intricate questions of law was marvel-
ous, and this gave him advantage and prestige in the
courts. He died in December, 1898.

DAVID WRIGHT

Mr. Wright was a native of Penn's Manor, Buck's
county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1806. He
received his early education at the Friends' School at that
place. He migrated to Aurora, Cayuga County, in 1826.
There he read law, was admitted to the bar and con-
tinued in practise until 1837. He then removed to Auburn
and afterwards took as a partner Hon. Theodore M.
Pomeroy who had studied law with him. This partner-
ship continued many years. Finally Mr. Pomeroy
retired from active practise, and Mr. Wright practised
thereafter alone. He was admittedly a good lawyer and
a man of the highest integrity. He died in 1877.

EDWARD H. AVERY

Mr. Avery was born at Scipio, N. Y., August 18, 1824,
and graduated from Yale College in 1844. Soon after
this he moved to Auburn and entered the law oflSce^of
Clark & Underwood as a student. After being admitted,

142 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Mr. Avery located at Bath, N. Y., where he practised law
three years. At the end of this time he returned to
Auburn and became a partner of Hon. George Under-
wood. Later James R. Cox became a member of the
firm, which was then styled Underwood, Cox & Avery.
After the senior partner's death in 1859, the firm con-
tinued as Cox & Avery. Both the original and the later
firm did a successful law business. They ranked among
the best in Central New York.

Mr. Avery, however, soon became identified with
various other enterprises and lines of business in which
he was active and successful. He was one of the pro-
moters and organizers of the Auburn Water Works Com-
pany, and the Auburn Gas & Light Company, in both
of which he served as director. He was also connected
oflBcially and financially with other corporations of the
city. In 1883 Mr. Avery was chosen president of the
National Bank of Auburn and in this capacity he evinced
executive ability of a high order. He discharged the
duties with faithfulness and honor. He died May 5, 1908.

DR. RICHARD STEEL

Probably no citizen of Auburn, with an equally long
career, lived nearer to the hearts of the people of the
town than did Dr. Richard Steel.

Dr. Steel was born at Grandin, N. Y., Nov. 3, 1795.
He attended school at West Grandin, where that striking
New England character, Salem Towne, was the teacher,
and living for a considerable period of time in the atmos-

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 143

phere created by such a man, the impress and influence
could not have been otherwise than deep and lasting.

Dr. Steel's parents were Jonathan and Jane Ann
Savage Steel, both descended from the old Puritanic
New England stock. They lived in those days not a
great distance from Troy, and to that place Richard
went to take up the study of pharmacy. Richard was
the fifth in a family of nine children. Jonathan Steel,
the father, died in 1817, and Richard, having become
proficient in the drugs and pharmacy line, started west-
ward and located in Auburn at the age of 22. He at
once established a drug store under the name of Steel,
Cook & Co., the later being the firm with whom he had
studied pharmacy in Troy. They furnished the capital
and imposed in the young man implicit confidence in the
matter of the conduct of the business.

The business thus early established grew and prospered
in great measure until Dr. Steel needed no partners or
financial aid in carrying on the business, therefore, for
many years he was alone in business and independent.
Dr. Steel's drug store became a familiar place and one of
the reliable and dependable stores of the town. He
conducted the business until 1872, at which time he
retired. He was succeeded by his son, Joseph N. Steel.

Dr. Steel during the years from 1817 up to this time had
been interested in many things, institutions and measures
intended for the civic betterment of Auburn. In 1821 he
united with the First Presbyterian church and became
one of the most active and zealous in the welfare work
connected with that church and other organizations. In

144 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

1825 he was elected ruling Elder of the First church and
served with marked faithfulness until his death, March
11, 1889, having then served the almost unprecedented
period of 64 years. From 1823 to his death Dr. Steel
was also connected with the Seminary in various official
capacities. He was auditor, secretary and treasurer of
the institution, and each of these official services covering
a long period. In addition to these, he was for many
years a member of the board of trustees of the Seminary.

Dr. Steel organized the first Sunday School in Auburn
in 1818, The school was for colored children of the
village and, although receiving much criticism on account
of the undertaking. Dr. Steel persisted in the labor and
wrought much good through his efforts. He was also
active as clerk of several of the school districts before the
union school system was adopted.

In politics Dr. Steel, in the early days, was a Whig
and naturally gravitated into the Republican party when
that party was organized in 1856. In all his relations in
life Dr. Steel was earnest and generous and always the
embodiment of honor. He was a valuable citizen and a
true friend to every good cause. Dr. Steel was thrice
married. In 1823 he married Miss Alice Hyde Marnell,
and his second wife was Miss Sarah M. Knowles, of Darby,
Pennsylvania, whom he married in 1831. June 23, 1837,
he married Miss Mary Cadwell Knowles of Philadelphia.
By the latter marriage there were five children only one of
whom, Miss Mary, survives.

DR. RICHARD STEEL

1 - . — ^ : V '^ *."

1 .'«Tt-<!,

-■ . . - V

— -=^-i.'j3ta^j,

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 145

BANKS AND BANKEES

Auburn had been incorporated as a village two years
when the first bank, the Bank of Auburn, was established.
The village had a population of approximately twelve
hundred and the volume of local business had grown
to considerable magnitude. There were a score or more
of small industries of various kinds along the Outlet, all
of which were doing a prosperous business. Besides, the
mercantile business had become quite extensive, owing
in some degree to the fact that Auburn was the trade
center of a wide area of territory. Added to these ele-
ments of urgency, the State, on account of the new prison,
was paying out and disbursing for various purposes a
large amount of money. There was not a bank in the
western part of the State. It was time to have a bank.

The movement toward starting a bank in Auburn
began in 1816 although it did not crystallize into action
until 1817. Early in the year John H. Beach, Joseph
Colt, Eleazer Hills, Daniel Kellogg, Enos T. Throop,
Nathaniel Garrow and Glen Cuyler applied to the State
Legislature for a charter for a bank in Auburn, and on the
31st day of March that year the bank of Auburn was
chartered. The capital stock was fixed at $400,000,
divided into shares of $50.00 each. This later was
reduced to $200,000.

On the 7th of July following the organization of the
bank was effected, with the following officers and direc-
tors: Thomas Mumford, president; James S. Seymour,
cashier, and Nathaniel Garrow, Archie Kasson, Joseph
Colt, Horace Hills, Walter Weed, George F. Leitch, Enos

146 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

T. Throop, David Brinkerhoff, James Porter, John Bow-
man, Hezakiah Goodwin and William McCarthy compos-
ing the board of directors. The Bank of Auburn was now
legally organized with a full quota of officers and directors,
but the organization had no quarters in which to carry on
the business.

A committee composed of the following men had been
appointed to receive subscriptions and award the stock;
Squire Munro, Samuel D. Lockwood, Nathaniel Garrow,
Glen Cuyler and James Porter. The capital stock was
placed at four hundred thousand dollars, and at the end
of the one week alloted the committee found that one
million and ninety thousand dollars had been subscribed.
This at first presented a cheerful prospect, whereas in
very truth it was the beginning of trouble for the new
institution.

Through the offices of Garrow and Throop, who had
been chosen for the purpose, banking quarters were
secured in the Demarre block, but they were not as
yet ready for occupancy, therefore, in the desire to begin
business a temporary place was leased in a room of
Bostwick's tavern situated at the corner of Genesee and
Exchange streets. Here on the 17th day of August, 1817,
James S. Seymour, the cashier, opened for business the
Bank of Auburn.

Meanwhile a call had been issued for a payment of
seven dollars on each share of stock allotted in the placing
of the four hundred thousand dollars of stock. This
call developed a little tornado of kicks and criticisms and
notes of dissatisfaction among many who had been seek-

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 147

ing stock in the bank. Charges of unfair deahng in the
matter of allotting the stock, of monopoly and favoritism
choked the atmosphere of the banking circle and the town
for some time. Some, therefore, refused to pay their
subscriptions. As a conclusion, less than one hundred
thousand dollars of the stock subscribed was ever paid in.
Some in the effort meanwhile to discredit the bank
offered their stock at thirty-six per cent, discount, and
others advertised their stock for sale at auction.

But the bank, fortunately, was captained by men of
ability and strict integrity, which was the saving element
of the institution at that time, and, it may be said, that
in the matter of control and management the same class
of ability and fidelity has carried the institution through-
out its nearly one hundred years of existence without a
stain. Today it is one of the strongest banks in the State.

Early in the year 1818 Thomas Mumford, Joseph Colt,
George F. Leitcli, and Nathaniel Garrow were appointed
a committee to superintend the erection of a bank build-
ing suitable, as the specifications stated, for the bank
and a residence for the cashier. The building was com-
pleted and occupied that year. The old building is still
intact adjoining the more modern bank building on
Genesee street. In 1865 the Bank of Auburn became
the National Bank of Auburn.

The officers of the bank from 1817 to 1913 have been
as follows: Presidents, Thomas Mumford, 1817 to 1820;
Daniel Kellogg, 1820 to 1836; John H. Beach, 1836 to
1839; George F. Leitch, 1839 to 1846; Cornelius Cuyler,
1846 to 1849; James S. Seymour, 1849 to 1875; Corydon

148 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

H. Merriman, 1876-1877; Silas L. Bradley, 1877 to 1883;
Edward H. Avery, 1883 to 1908; George B. Longstreet,
1908 to 1913; Frank E. Swift, was elected president to
succeed Mr. Longstreet. James Seymour who became
president in 1849 had served as the bank's cashier since
1817. Cory don H. Merriman succeeded Mr. Seymour
as cashier in 1849 and continued until 1876. James
Seymour, Jr., then became cashier and served until 1891.
From this date to 1908 George B. Longstreet was the
cashier. Upon the election of Mr. Longstreet as president
in 1908, Henry T. Keeler was chosen to succeed him and
is still the cashier, James Seymour, Jr., served as vice-
president from 1892 to 1898. In 1900 Frederick x\llen
was chosen vice-president and it still serving. In 1912
Mr. Gerald D. Boardman was elected second vice-
president.

- JAMES S. SEYMOUR, ESQ.

The life of James S. Seymour was so closely interlinked
with the life of the Bank of Auburn that the story of the
one without the other would not be complete.

For fifty-nine years Mr. Seymour was the main con-
trolling and conserving force in the bank's affairs. They
were years of earnest devotion on his part, years of suc-
cess in his undertaking and years full of honor. He was
a man of unswerving fidelity and integrity in all his life
connections. From 1817 to 1849 he was the bank's able
cashier; from 1849 to 1876 he was as safe and sound
as its executive head.

Mr. Seymour was a native of West Hartford, Conn.,
where his parents and many of their ancestors had lived

. iii.'.

Ill

Hon, LK' ..

l-...ViK

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 149

since 1639. He was born on the 13th day of April, 1791,
and was therefore 26 years of age when he moved to
Auburn and became cashier of the bank in 1817. He
had already been engaged in a manufacturing industry
in his native state and also had served for a considerable
period as clerk in a banking house and this, coupled with
his ability and strength of character, contributed to his
eminent success.

Through Mr. Seymour's initiative and money invest-
ment the first book store was established in Auburn about
1830. This book store, with its value and demonstrated
influence in the community, led to the establishment of the
Seymour Library more than 45 years later. Mr. Sey-
mour's heart was in every movement that made for
education and better citizenship. To him Auburn is
indebted for its splendid library of today, the Seymour
Library. He established it and at his death endowed it.
He was in more ways than one a benefactor and a force
and an influence for the best things in life.

Mr. Seymour never married. Perhaps it was because
his mind was wholly engrossed in his many undertakings.
While he left no immediate relatives, the entire com-
munity mourned him when he died in 1876.

CORYDON H. MERRIMAN

Cory don H. Merriman was another citizen who occupied
a prominent place in banking and in many other business
interests of Auburn. For forty years Mr. Merriman
was identified with the Auburn Bank and during this time
was a close and valued friend of Mr. Seymour.

150 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Mr. Merriman was a keen business man and with it he
had the faculty of making and holding friends. He
located in Auburn 1834, becoming at that time a book-
keeper in the bank and from that time to his death his
chief business association was with the Auburn Bank as
bookkeeper, cashier and president, to which trusts he
was as devoted as he was to those with whom he did
business. He died in 1877, one year after the death of
his associate and friend, Mr. Seymour.

CAYUGA COUNTY NATIONAL BANK

The second bank to be established in Auburn was the
Cayuga County Bank in 1833. By that date Auburn
had more than trebled in population since the foundation
of the Bank of Auburn. Many strong industries had
been established since 1817 and, moreover, there was a
definite movement toward building a steam railroad.
All these conditions added to the urgency for the second
bank.

The charter for the Cayuga County National Bank
was applied for in 1825 but was not granted by the State
Legislature until March 14, 1833. The capital stock was
fixed at $250,000 and the subscription books were soon
opened for subscriptions. In the short period of three
days one million two hundred thousand dollars were
subscribed. After an equitable division of the stock,
the bank was organized with the following as officers and
directors: Isaac S. Miller, Eleazer Hills, Levi Lewis,
Stephen Van Anden, Nathaniel Garrow, Rowland Day,
Peter Yawger, George B. Tliroop, John Seymour, William

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 151

Noble, Robert Muir, Charles Pardee and Sherman
Beardsley. Nathaniel Garrow was chosen president
and George B. Throop, cashier. Early in 1834 the bank
proceeded to erect the banking building which it now
occupies, with notable enlargement and vast improve-
ments having been made.

In 1865 the Cayuga County Bank became a national
bank and the title of the institution was changed merely
to the Cayuga County National Bank. In 1874 the stock
was reduced to $200,000. The National Bank of Auburn
has been a safe and strong banking institution since its
beginning. It has been conducted by sane and sound
business men, who have been regardful of their public
trust. The bank's quarters today are spacious and
modern in every detail.

The officers of the bank from 1833 to 1913 have been:
Presidents — Nathaniel Garrow, 1833 to 1839; John
Beardsley, 1839 to 1843; Nelson Beardsley, 1843 to 1896;
George H. Nye, 1896 now in office. Cashiers — George
B. Throop, 1833 to 1840; Josiah N. Starin, 1840 to 1873;
A. L. Palmer, 1873 to 1896; Charles Hoskins, 1896 to
September 1910. September 1910 George S. Snyder was
chosen cashier and is now serving. At the time of Mr.
Snyder's elevation to the cashiership Carl A. Neumeister
was chosen assistant cashier and is now in office.

THE AUBURN SAVINGS BANK

The charter of the Auburn Savings Bank was granted
March 19, 1849. Its name then was the Auburn Savings
Institution, but in 1869 the name was changed as at present.

152 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

The first trustees of the institution were: Charles B.
Perry, Nelson Beardsley, Daniel Hewson, Thomas G.
How, Jr., Cyrus C. Dennis, John Olmsted, John L.
Watrous, Dr. Sylvester Willard, James O. Derby, Spencer
Parsons, Samuel Blatchford and J. N. Starin. Hon.
Charles B. Perry was the first president and Charles P.
Wood the first treasurer. In 1860 Dr. Willard was
chosen president to succeed Judge Perry and continued
until 1894. Edwin R. Fay then succeeded Dr. Willard
as president and served until January, 1909. He was
succeeded at this time by David M. Dunning.

The Auburn Savings Institution began business in a
room over a store on the north side of Genesee street east
of North street. From there it moved to the ground floor
at 72 Genesee street. In 1871 the present Auburn
Savings Bank Building was completed, since which time
the bank has had pleasant and convenient quarters.
The bank now carries the names of about two thousand
depositors with more than six million dollars in deposits.
David M. Dunning was elected president in .

WILLIAM H. SEWARD & CO.

As a private banking house W. H. Seward & Company
have had an unusually long and noteworthy career.
The banking house was established in 1860, the name of
the firm then being W. H. Seward, Jr. & Co. The
firm was then composed of Gen. William H. Seward and
Gen. Clinton D. MacDougall, both young men, yet
possessing qualifications for the making of a successful
business.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 153

Soon after starting the bank, however, both of them
entered the service in the Civil War and were active in
the field until the war closed. Meanwhile, the banking
house of W. H. Seward, Jr. & Co., was mainly in charge of
James S. Seymour, who volunteered to assume the
responsibility in order to make possible the younger men's
service for the Government. Upon the return of Messrs.
Seward and MacDougall, the business was carried on
until 1869, when Hon. Theodore M. Pomeroy became a
member of the firm, and one year later Gen. MacDougall
withdrew to engage in other business. The present
members of the Company, besides Gen. Seward, are
William H. Seward, Jr., and Joseph C. Anderson.

Although a private bank the institution always has
occupied a high place in the banking world. Its sound-
ness and credit and method of doing business have never
been questioned.

THE CAYUGA COUNTY SAVINGS BANK

The organization of the Cayuga County Savings Bank
came about wholly through the efforts of William H.
Meaker its present treasurer. The bank was chartered
under a special act of the State Legislature in 1864.
The title of the institution then was the Mutual Savings
Bank of Auburn. The perfected organization was
brought about February 1, 1865 and the first board of
trustees chosen included the following: James S. Sey-
mour, Augustus Rowland, Cyrus C. Dennis, Elmer P.
Ross, Edwin B. Morgan, Cory don H. Merriman, Christo-
pher Morgan, Benjamin B. Snow, William H. Seward, Jr.,

154 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Theodore M. Pomeroy, Horace T. Cook, Samuel Adams,
Guernsey Jewett, Horatio J. Brown, David Tompkins,
Daniel Hewson and Morell S. Fitch. After the completed
organization February 1, I860, the following officers
were chosen: Cyrus C. Dennis, president; H. J. Brown,
vice-president, and William H. Meaker, secretary and
treasurer.

The institution was for some time quartered with the
Auburn City National Bank and continued to carry on
its business in the new banking quarters on Genesee street
to which the Auburn City National Bank moved in 1869.
In 1872, however, the Savings Bank purchased the bank
property at the corner of Genesee and State streets.
Recently the building has been greatly enlarged and the
interior of the bank vastly improved. It is now a well
appointed and handsomely fitted banking institution.
In 1875 the name of the bank was changed to the Cayuga
County Savings Bank, The institution now has about
one thousand accounts and a total deposit of about four
million dollars.

The presidents have been Cyrus C, Dennis, from
organization to iVpril, 1866, He was succeeded in July
1866 by H. J. Brown. Since him there have been Horace
T. Cook, Cyrenus Wheeler, Jr., William H. Seward and
William F. Wait, the latter still being the president.
William H. Meaker is the treasurer, a position he has held
since the foundation of the bank.

JAMES S. SEYMOUR

First Cashier Bank of Auburn.

'i ' i

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 155

AUBURN CITY NATIONAL BANK

The City Bank was organized in 1853. It began busi-
ness on North street and later moved to the corner of
North and Genesee streets, next door west of the present
Auburn Trust Company.

In 1866 the bank became a national bank and the
change was merely to Auburn City National Bank.
The officers were Augustus Rowland, president, Adam
Miller, vice-president, and Charles G. Briggs, cashier.
In 1858 Mr. Frank L. Sheldon was elected president and
in 1862 Mr. Rowland was again chosen president. In
1877 the Auburn City National Bank consolidated or
merged with the First National, retaining the City Bank's
name. The Bank failed in 1888.

THE AUBURN EXCHANGE NATIONAL BANK

The Auburn Exchange Bank was chartered in 1855
with a capital of $100,000. William T. Graves, president,
C. E. Burtis, vice-president, and William C. Beardsley,
cashier. It was organized by William C. Beardsley and
was largely under his management. The bank did a
successful business and finally went into voluntary
liquidation, paying one hundred and twenty-five cents
on the dollar.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK

The First National Bank was organized in 1865 with
Elmer P. Ross as president and Charles N. Ross, cashier.
It then occupied quarters at No. 129 Genesee street.
The capital stock of the bank was $100,000. In 1877 it
merged with the Auburn City National Bank, which
failed in 1888.

156 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

EDWIN R. FAY & SON

This is a private bank which was estabhshed in 1892
by Mr. Edwin R. Fay. It is a strong and successful
banking house, having a large number of depositors and
a good volume of business.

AUBURN TRUST COMPANY

The Auburn Trust Company was organized and re-
ceived its charter on August 17, 1906, and opened for
business on August 27, 1906 at its present location. No. 63
Genesee street.

Its first oflScers and directors were: John M. Brainard,
president; Henry D. Noble, 1st vice-president; Edwin
R. Fay, 2d vice-president; George W. Benham, 3d vice-
president; Ralph R. Keeler, secretary and treasurer.
The present directors are: Wilbur B. Barnes, James C.
Bishop, George W. Benham, George W. Bowen, Willard
E. Case, John M. Brainard, Thomas F. Dignum, D.
Edwin French, Frank A. Eldredge, Gurdon S. Fanning,
Edwin R. Fay, Thomas H. Garrett, Jr., William B.
Hislop, Hendrick S. Holden, J. S. Gray, Julius Kraft,
Sanford G. Lyon, Henry D. Noble, F. T. Pierson, W.
H. Moffitt, Luther W. Mott, Franklin P. Taber,
Ralph R. Keeler, Adolphus H. Searing.

On the first day the Company opened for business it
received in deposits, $65,000.00, which have continued to
increase until now the deposits are over $2,000,000.

The Company organized with $150,000 capital, and
$150,000 surplus all paid in.

The growth both in deposits and depositors had been
phenomenal, the present number of depositors being 5824.

CHAPTER VII

HISTORY NOTES — RAILROADS — THE NEW EPOCH

|HE years from 1810 to the fifties were marked
by an evolution of societies of almost every
type and kind, and each organized for
some definite purpose. Some of them were
valuable societies and did good work in
educating and elevating the townspeople.

In 1828 a society was organized which was composed
mainly of the clergymen of the village. Its aim and
scope seems to have been far reaching, if it was not actually
oppressive. The first inspiration of the organization was
to put on foot a movement to secure general attendance
at church services on Sundays, and as a second part, to
compel the stoppage of all business including the stage
lines. The first proposition met with little protest but
against the others there was united hostility, and so the
society died with not a single count to its credit.

A little later came the Auburn Literary Association
which included among its active membership many
representative citizens of the village. Corydon H.
Merriman, Stephen A. Goodwin, William Richardson,
B. F. Hall, S. B. Dennis, Alonzo G. Beardsley, Dr. Frank
H. Hamilton, Peter Myers, Dr. Erastus Humphreys and
William Hoskins were among the promoters of the enter-
prise. The organization had suitable quarters on Genesee

1.58 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

street in the Chedell building where the important topics
of the time were discussed and lectures on stated subjects
were delivered in a room of Gen. Chedell's museum.
These lectures were given by local literary people and by
foreign talent. As a rule, admission to the hall was free,
but on the occasion of a lecture by a foreigner, there was
a charge of twelve and one-half cents to defray the ex-
penses. And this admission charge of one shilling
developed the spectre of discontent and antagonism that
finally had much to do with disrupting the society.

Auburn, like many other towns in 1825, was privileged
to entertain for a short time that distinguished French-
man, Gen. Lafayette. It was the eighth of June when
Gen. Lafayette reached the village from the west and
the entire populace turned out to pay honor to the nation's
guest. Alvah Warden, Enos T. Throop, Elijah Miller,
John W. Hurlbut, Samuel Dill, Gersham Powers, Dr.
Joseph Pittney, Erastus D. Tuttle, Stephen W. Hughes,
William H. Seward, Ezekial Williams, Gilbert A, Gamage,
John Grover, Robert Wiltsie, Nathaniel Garrow, and
Eleazer Hoskins were appointed a committee to have
charge of the various functions of the day. John W.
Hurlbut, Esq., was chosen by the committee to deliver
the address of welcome and Gen. Brinkerhoff was ap-
pointed marshal. The reception committee proceeded
to Cayuga and escorted Gen. Lafayette and his party
to Auburn. There was unbounded enthusiasm at that
time. The memory of the recent war for independence
and the part Gen. Lafayette had taken in it aroused the
patriotism of all. Gen. Lafayette spent the evening in

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 159

the village, and was royally entertained. He left at
eleven o'clock for Syracuse.

Again in 1829 the spirit of militarism became upper-
most in Auburn and five companies were organized to
form a regiment of artillery. The officers were: William
H. Seward, First Lieutenant; Colonel John Wright,
Major; Lyman Hinman, Adjutant; Oscar S. Burgess,
Quartermaster; John H. Chedell, Paymaster; and the
surgeons were Dr. H. L. Markham and Dr. Blanchard
Fosgate. The organization was active and alert in the
matter of drill and maneuvers. It continued for several
years as an active organization.

PAPER MILLS

The manufacture of paper of various kinds began in
Auburn in 1827. The first mill was erected on the Outlet,
near the Miller & Beach cotton factory. It was built by
Thomas M. Skinner, George C. Skinner and Eleazer Hills.
It was known as the Auburn Paper Mill. The chief
product at first was the better grades of writing paper,
but later the mill added print paper to its output. The
mill continued with a good degree of success until the
panic of 1837, when it, like many other interests, met
disaster. The plant, however, in 1840 passed to the
Cayuga County Bank. L. W. Nye and Charles Eldred
soon after this leased the plant and continued the busi-
ness. In 1849 a company was organized by David S.
West, L. W. Nye, John C. Ivison, David Foote, Henry
Ivison, Aurelius Wheeler, Ashiel Cooley, and Russell
Chappell, to carry on the business. The capital stock
was placed at $20,000. As to the success of the enter-

160 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

prise during this middle period there is httle record,
however; in 1854 the company was reorganized with
increased capital. The local book publishers, Derby &
Co., and Alden, Beardsley & Co., were practically con-
suming the product of the mill. The business of paper
making, at any rate, continued as a profitable industry
for some time. There were other paper mills during this
period all of which finally gave way to other lines of
industry.

In early time, as stated in a previous chapter, there
was a wooden bridge constructed across the Outlet on
Genesee street. In 1829 this bridge was replaced with a
massive arched stone structure. It Was so massive, in
fact, that it was borne down by its own weight. This in
turn was replaced by another wooden bridge, which
stood for many years. At this time too the era of stone
business blocks began, and during the succeeding ten
years many such buildings were erected along Genesee
street, and some of them are still standing and, although
not strictly modern, they are substantial and imposing.

The manufacture of fancy woolen cloth began in the
twenties. The cloth was made in considerable variety,
both as to color and patterns. Suitings for men and
women were made in black, blue and grey, all having
vogue for several years.

From the time of the incorporation of the village in
1815 to 1835 there seems not to have been a village hall,
but at that time the erection of a town hall was begun and
was completed in 1837 at a cost of $30,000. In 1848
it became the City Hall and has continued as such to
date.

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The town hall, however, was intended to serve a double
purpose, in fact, for many years it served a multitude of
purposes. Besides being the official town hall, the ground
floor was arranged for a public market. The butchers,
the hucksters and some other lines of trade occupied
booths or compartments properly arranged and leased
to such dealers for a stipulated sum. Moreover, a part
of the second floor for some years was occupied by the
Young Ladies Institute, the school conducted by Prof,
M. L. Browne. Finally, the municipality refitted the
building, since which time it has been in all respects a
City Hall.

The panic of 1837 was probably the force that defeated
the project of establishing in the village a ^Methodist
college. The enterprise was launched in 1835 and re-
ceived the hearty co-operation and support of many
citizens of Auburn. A site was selected at the corner of
Genesee and Washington streets comprising ten acres
and a movement was in progress to raise a fund of fifty
thousand dollars to erect a building on the Dill farm for
Auburn College. A board of trustees consisting of the
following citizens was chosen: Gen. John H. Chedell,
William H. Seward, Hon. Joseph L. Richardson and
Nathaniel Garrow. Forty thousand dollars had been
subscribed when the depression of 1837 came on and
discouraged further efforts in the undertaking. The
project never was revived.

In 1836 the village of Auburn extended its limits to
include the whole town of Auburn. This year too the
village streets were lighted with oil lamps for the first

162 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

time. Upon some of the streets these were the beacon
hghts that possibly saved some citizens from being sunk
in the mud.

The following was the year of the great fire which
destroyed Hyde, Wattrous & Go's, store, Norman Ben-
nett's dry goods store, H. C. Pease's furniture store,
Melbie Camp's dry goods, Crashy & Polkbun's dry goods
store, Munger & Perry, dry goods, J. S. Bartlett & Co.,
dry goods, T. M. Hunt's drug store, D. C. Stewart, dry
goods, Benius & Leonard's restaurant and some others.
It is this occurrence that brought into vogue the stone and
brick structures in the business section.

In face of this disaster, and the panic, the citizens of
Auburn had the heart to give Henry Clay a most cordial
reception that year. He was followed in 1839 by Martin
Van Buren and in 1843 John Quincy Adams paid xiuburn
a visit. Clay and Adams were Whigs and Van Buren a
Democrat and the inspiration of the trips was politics.

But the panic of 1837 wrought havoc in Auburn as it
did throughout the country. Many Auburn people lost
their footing and finally suffered financial collapse.
Manufacturing plants were crippled and the banks were
unable to get sufficient currency or specie to meet the
demands. In 1841 and 1842 Auburn was forging ahead
again.

THE STEAM RAILROADS

May 1, 1834, the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad
Company was chartered with a capital stock of $400,000.
And here again the spirit and progressiveness of Auburn

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 163

citizens was in evidence, for $350,000 of the stock was
taken in Auburn. Among the dwellers along the pro-
posed route there was no confidence in the project and the
opposing interests were active in their efforts to discourage
and defeat the undertaking. The Erie Canal and the
established stage lines were held by some to be too formid-
able rivals for a steam road to compete with successfully.
Nevertheless, the promoters went forward with the work.

The organization of the company was effected on the
20th day of January, 1835, with the following officers:
Elijah Miller, president; Asaph D. Leonard, secretary;
George B. Throop, treasurer; and the directors were:
Nathaniel Garrow, John M. Sherwood, Stephen Van
Anden, Obijah Fitch, and Edward E. Marvine of Auburn,
Vivius W. Smith and Henry Raynor of Syracuse.

The Auburn and Syracuse road was practically com-
pleted by 1838 and on January 8th, of that year the first
train, drawn by horses, passed over the road. June 4,
1839, the first train drawn by an engine took a crowd of
people from Auburn to Syracuse. There were many then
who believed that possibly the steam railroad might be
advantageous for passenger traffic, but it never could hope
to compete successfully for freight business. But the
road was finally established and following this event many
Auburnians saw visions of a great city with the State
capitol located on the east hill.

In 1836 the Auburn and Rochester Railroad was
incorporated and completed in 1841. From this time
until 1854 the road by the way of Auburn was the main
line of the New York Central. But the building of the

164 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

first road through the village, it must be stated here, was
due to the public spirit and courage of Auburn citizens-
They contributed seven-eighths of the capital and, with
the exception of two members, the officers and board of
directors were composed of progressive and constructive
Auburn men. The Auburn and Syracuse and the Auburn
and Rochester railroads were consolidated in 1850.

SOUTHERN CENTRAL — NOW LEHIGH VALLEY

The building of the Southern Central Railroad was
not finally accomplished without many trials and difficult
obstacles to overcome.

As early as 1852 a company was organized to con-
struct the Lake Ontario, Auburn and New York Rail-
road. The road as projected began at Fair Haven on
Lake Ontario and passed through Auburn and on south-
ward to connect at some point with the Erie Railroad,
taking nearly the route over which the Auburn and
Lansing now runs. The capital stock w^as $1,500,000, and
the board of directors and officers were as follows: Presi-
dent, Thomas Y. How, Jr.; secretary, Benj. F. Hall;
treasurer, Joshua Burt, and the directors were Roland
F. Russell, Worthington Smith, Hiram S. Farrar, Moses
T. Telly, O. C. Crocker, Lyman Murdock, Isaac Bell,
David Cook, and Robert Hume. Nearly four hundred
thousand dollars were expended in securing right of way
and the grading of the roadbed, yet the project for lack
of money failed of completion. In 1856 another com-
pany was organized to take up the work and push it to a
successful termination. After an outlay of about five

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 165

hundred thousand dollars the undertaking failed in great
part on account of the breaking out of the Civil War.

In 1865 a new company was organized with a new set
of officers and directors and also a new route southward
from Auburn under contemplation. This route was
along Owasco lake, thence to Dryden and Owego. Cyrus
C. Dennis was one of the chief promoters and was the
president of the company. J. J. Taylor, vice-president;
William H. Seward, Jr., treasurer; and George I. Post,
secretary. The directors were: Thomas C. Piatt, of
Owego; William Lincoln, of Newark Valley; Hiram W.
Sears of Dryden; H. K. Clark, of Groton; William Titus,
of Moravia, Charles P. Wood, William C. Barber, and
George J. Leitch, of Auburn and John T. Knapp, of Cato.
The road was built in three sections, the first from Lake
Ontario to Auburn, and the second from Auburn to
Owego, and thence on to Sayre, Pa., for the third section.

Much difficulty was experienced in the new project.
There were some members of the new company who
still contended in favor of the former route but the towns
through which the new line was projected were liberally
subscribing for the stock of the road and some towns
were bonding. The money for construction was finally
raised largely through the personal efforts of Gen. William
H. Seward, Jr., the treasurer, and the Southern Central
was formally opened for traffic in 1869. In 1884 the road
was taken over and became a part of the Lehigh Valley
Railroad system.

The Cayuga Southern Railroad was at first constructed
from Cayuga southward along the lake to Ithaca. It was

166 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

begun in 1871 and completed in 1873. In 1877 this also
passed to the Lehigh Valley Railroad and by means of a
short spur that company has a line from Auburn to Ithaca
by way of the Cayuga Lake road.

The Auburn and Lansing, the "short line," to Ithaca
was built in 1906 and follows practically the old "Mur-
dock route" or the line projected by the Lake Ontario, Au-
burn and New York in 1852. Auburn at present, there-
fore, has steam railroads radiating in six different direc-
tions, affording very excellent shiping facilities to all
parts of the country.

The Hon. Alfred Conkling was an early and very
distinguished resident of Auburn. Judge Conkling settled
on Owasco road, and built Melrose, one of the handsome
estates along that highway between the heart of Auburn
and Owasco lake. It is now the residence of George H.
Nye, Esq.

Judge Conkling was a man of exceptional ability,
coupled with the characteristics and manners of a gentle-
man of the old school. He was prominent in various
enterprises and in public affairs. He was Judge of the
United States District Court of the northern District of
New York and for several years the United States Minister
to Mexico, in which capacity he served with distinction.
He had three sons, Aurelian, Frederick, and Roscoe, the
latter later becoming one of the country's most conspicu-
ous figures in national affairs.

Peter P. R. Hayden began business in Auburn in the
early thirties. He became a member of the firm of
Hayden & Letchworth who were manufacturers having

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 167

a contract in the prison. The business was large and
very profitable for a considerable number of years.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hayden had interests in many other
cities. He had foundries, rolling mills and brass works
in Pittsburgh, Columbus, Ohio, St. Louis, San Francisco,
Los Angeles, Newark, N. J., and in several other cities,
besides being the owner of large coal mines in Pennsyl-
vania. On account of those many interests, Mr. Hayden
left Auburn in the early forties. He died at the age of 81.

JOSIAH BARBER

Josiah Barber engaged in business in Auburn in 18^8.
He was a contractor in the prison where he made tweeds,
carpets, and bed spreads. Later he began the manu-
facture of carpets, both ingrain and brussels.

In 1847 Mr. Barber erected the Barber Mill on Wash-
ington street, now the Dunn & McCarthy shops. Later
his sons were engaged in business with him. They built
up a great business and the Barber mill was one of the
chief industries of the city. Mr. Barber was born in
Colmans, Albany county, N. Y. His parents were
Quakers and Mr. Barber, after locating in Auburn,
identified himself with the Universalist church and was
one of the active promoters and supporters of that church.
Mr. Barber was a keen and successful business man, of
strict integrity, progressive and helpful to the com-
munity. He died in Auburn, May 5, 1880.

During the thirties and early forties there were several
sea captains settled in Auburn. They were interesting
characters and some of them added distinction to the
village.

168 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

CAPTAIN WILLIAM SWAIN

Captain William Swain was a son of William and
Phoebe Barnard Swain who were Nantucket Quakers.
They lived in Saratoga county, N. Y., for a few years
where their son Captain William was born. This was
about the time of Burgoyne's surrender, October, 1777.
He saw the "red coats" in and around his father's house.
Afterwards the family returned to Nantucket. From
this port William Swain, then a youth, sailed on a w haling
vessel during the days when Napoleon's wars were blockad-
ing Holland. Later he entered the employ of the Messrs.
Enderby, a very wealthy and enterprising firm of London,
whose whaling ships were on every sea from the Arctic
to the Antartic circle. He continued with this firm about
thirty years, at which time he retired from sea life. In
London, Capt. Swain married in 1812, Catherine Mitchell,
daughter of Dr. George Mitchell, a London physician.
In 1831 he moved to Auburn where he resided in the house
now standing on William street. He afterwards bought
and beautified a farm at Half Acre. A few years later
he came into town and built a large brick home on Grover
street. Capt. Swain's life was full of interesting incidents
and events on the sea. He at one time narrowly escaped
from a French man-of-war by a bold and ingenous device,
and was active in the suppression of a mutiny on his ship.
He also saw the sinking of a French privateer which
attacked him at night, his ship being defended by but one
gun, besides many other thrilling experiences of his day.
Capt. Swain was an interesting character and had a host

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 169

of warm friends in Auburn. He died in 1875 and was
buried in St. Peter's churchyard.

CAPTAIN CHASE

Captain George B. Chase was also from Nantucket,
Rhode Island. He began a seafaring life when a boy and
sailed the seas over. While still a young man be became
commander of a merchant sailing vessel and followed
the life until he had accumulated a competence. Then he,
like most other sailors, sought to live far from the ocean,
and about 1825 he moved to Auburn with his family
of children, his wife having died in Nantucket. He
purchased several hundred acres of land in what is now
the north-eastern section of the city, the land lying along
North street and extending through to State street.
Upon this land were some of the largest stone quarries
in the vicinity of Auburn. A great part of the stone
used in the construction of the prison came from the
quarries on the Chase farm. Capt. Chase erected a
residence on North street which is still occupied by his
granddaughter, Mrs. Dexter A. Smith.

Captain Chase was an odd character and a notable
entertainer, with a mind full of quaint and interesting
incidents and experienced in a long and eventful sea life.
He was also a connoisseur, with the ability to prepare de-
lectable dinners. He gave many of these to his friends
and acquaintances at different times. The Chase home was
a favorite rendezvous for all who enjoyed a good meal
and an interesting story. He was coroner at the time
of the famous Van Ness murder south of the city. Cap-
tain Chase died in 1855.

170 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

CAPTAIN COFFIN

Captain Joshua Coffin was born at Cape Cod, but in
early life moved to Nantucket and began there a sea life.

Captain Coffin when a young man became commander
of a whaling vessel and followed the sea until 1843. At
that time he joined the colony of seamen then living in
Auburn. He first bought a farm north of the city but
he had lived too long on the water to be a successful
farmer. He finally moved into the city where he spent
the remaining years of his life.

Captain Coffin married Delia Baker, of Cape Cod.
They had three children, two sons, Joshua and Frederick
and one daughter who became the wife of Morris M.
Olmsted. They were the parents of Mrs. D. E. Clapp,
of Auburn. Capt. Coffin died in 1875. His wife survived
him several years.

CAPTAIN SHUBAEL COTTLE

Captain Shubael Cottle was another whaler who sailed
from Nantucket. He quit the sea in 1821 and settled on
a farm west of the city. After three years he too learned
that he was not a successful farmer, and therefore he
abandoned the farm and moved into the village. His
residence was for many years on Franklin street. He
died February 16, 1864.

CAPTAIN GEORGE CROCKER

Captain George Crocker, of Nantucket, quit the sea
about 1840 and purchased a farm a little east of the city,
where he spent his life and died in 1887.

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 171

During the presidential campaign, or log cabin cam-
paign, of 1840, there was the greatest interest and activity
in Auburn. Many of the most prominent men of the
village were zealous supporters of Whig candidates
as were others also of the Democratic candidates. A log
cabin was built on lower Genesee street around which
much interest centered and from which radiated a great
part of the political activity in the campaign. The State
campaign also was in progress and Gov. William H.
Seward was a candidate for a second term. He was
extremely popular at home and throughout the State,
therefore taken together they were days of keen interest
and much enthusiastic demonstration in the village.
On one occasion during this campaign a huge loaf of bread
was baked in the bake shop of Alexander McCrea and
when ready to be taken from the oven Col. John Richard-
son, who was marshal of the day, was obliged to use his
sword of the War of 1812 to cut the loaf in pieces before
it could be taken out. It was seven feet long and weighed
over five hundred pounds. The log cabin remained intact
for some time after the campaign was over. ,C

About 1841 there was a well organized movement by
several citizens of Auburn to introduce the enterprise
of silk making. Mulberry trees were set out and an
attempt was made to introduce cocoons for the making
of silk. The project met with some degree of success for
a time. Apparently it was not sufficiently profitable to
warrant further attempt, because the industry gradually
died out.

172 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

THE MARTHA WASHINGTON SOCIETY

In 1841 there was started in Auburn a concerted move-
ment in temperance work. The undertaking was con-
ceived by many of the leading women of the village who
entered into the spirit of the cause with courage and
resolution. An organization was effected, known as the
Martha Washington Society, and through this the work
of reform and temperance was carried on. Mrs. L. E.
Lathrop was the first president. She was followed by
Mrs. Myron C. Reed, Mrs. Isaac Selover, Mrs. Daniel
Hewson, Miss Amanda Irish, and Mrs. Charles M.
Howlet.

The Society did effective work not alone in advancing
the cause of temperance in the village, but was alert
and active in giving aid to needy families and caring for
children made destitute by drunkenness. The work was
carried on until 1866, and the influence of the society
lasted to a much later date.

THE AUBURN WOOLEN COMPANY

The Auburn Woolen Manufacturing business was
started in 1844 by several leading business men of the
village. William H. Seward, John Beardsley, Capt.
Bradley Tuttle, Sherman Beardsley, Abijah Fitch, Charles
M. Pomeroy, Joseph Wadsworth and George C. Thompson
were associated together for the purpose of manufacturing
woolen goods.

In 1847 a corporation was formed with the title of the
Auburn Woolen Company. Hon. John Porter was
chosen president and the following were elected directors:

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 173

Dr. Joseph T. Pittney, Gen. John H. Chedell, Abijah
Fitch, E. P. Wilhams, WilHam C. Beardsley, Capt.
Bradley Tuttle, and Dr. C. B. Maclntyre. The capital
stock was $100,000. K mill was that year erected near
the "big dam" and put in operation. A little later the
capital was increased to $158,000, yet there seems not to
have been any great degree of success achieved and in 1857
it passed to Harris & Felton, who in 1859 sold the mill to
Samuel L. Bush and Munkitrick. The business, however,
was not stable or successful. After passing through
several ownerships there was a new organization effected
in 1863 with $100,000 capital which later was increased
to $200,000. Thenceforth it was a prosperous industry.
The product of the mill was mostly cloth for suiting.
Recently the plant became a part of a great woolen cloth
manufacturing syndicate.

In 1846 the State Fair was held in Auburn, the grounds
being on the Beach farm in the section now known as
"Capitol hill." The Fair continued three days, and
although Auburn was still a village, the attendance was
very satisfactory. The same year brought the telegraph
to the village, thus furnishing the two daily papers with
the news of the world for the first time.

HON. JOHN M. HURD

Mr. Hurd was born at Sandwich, Conn., in 1832 and
during his youth learned the art of book binding. In 1852
he adopted Auburn as his home and engaged as a book-
binder with the firm of Howe & Husk who were then
among the principal book binders in the city. A little

174 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

later he bought the bindery in which he was employed
and carried on a successful business, until 1861.

In 1861 Mr. Hurd invented and patented a paper flour
sack, which he manufactured for a time in the rear part
of his bindery or in a small building adjoining. He
later expanded the manufacturing plant. The company
met with reverses during the Civil War and finally was
forced into bankruptcy. Soon thereafter Mr. Hurd, with
a partner, began the manufacture of hand sleds, toy
wagons and wheel-barrows. The factory Vv^as located in
Dill street. The business prospered in great measure and
Mr. Hurd to a great extent recouped himself. He was a
popular citizen, being highly regarded by the whole
community. He represented the first ward in the board
of Supervisors and in 1868-1869 was mayor of the city.
He was capable, honest and earnest in his official service.
Mr. Hurd died in Auburn in 1886.

NELSON BEARDSLEY, ESQ.

Nelson Beardsley possessed many of the qualities of a
captain of finance. He demonstrated it in many ways
during a long and singularly successful life. He was born
with the faculty for hewing out success in the world of
business; he could not have done otherwise. And what
he achieved was not by dishonest methods, surely, for he
was strictly honest and honorable in all his business
relations.

Mr. Beardsley was born at Southbury, Mass., May 30th,
1807. He graduated at Yale College at the age of twenty
and soon thereafter became a resident of Auburn. He

NELSON BEARDSLEY, ESQ.

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 175

prepared for the law but his business instinct was too keen
to continue long in the practise. Upon settling in Auburn,
he entered the law office of Hon. John W. Hurlbert and
began the study of law. Before the close of the year,
however, he became a student in the office of William H.
Seward who was then a young man in active practise.
He completed his studies with Mr. Seward and after being
admitted to practise formed a co-partnership with his
preceptor, which continued until Mr. Beardsley found
himself permanently in channels of finance and business.
In 1840 he was chosen president of the Cayuga County
Bank which he had helped to establish in 1833 and with
which he had been intimately connected during those
years. As president of the bank he proved his ability
as a financier and executive of exceeding value to the
institution. For a period of fifty years he served as
president of the Cayuga County National Bank and
with never a misstep or serious mistake in the conduct
of its affairs.

But Mr. Beardsley was interested and active in many
other things, banks, industries and enterprises that yielded
sumptuous profits while the stocks increased in value.
He was exacting with all whom he did business and no
less exacting with himself. He was undemonstrative
and unostentatious but did much good in his own quiet
way.

Mr. Beardsley married in 1836 Miss Frances Powers,
daughter of Hon. James Powers, of Catskill. John
Beardsley, father of Nelson, and James Powers, father of
Mrs. Nelson Beardsley, were members of the legislature

176 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

at the same time, which fact cemented a lasting friendship
between the famihes. Mrs. Nelson Beardsley died in
1854.

Mr. Beardsley was one of the organizers and promoters
of the Oswego Starch Factory in 1848, an enterprise that
was marvellously successful. He was its president and
directing force for many years. There were few great
enterprises launched in x\uburn during a long period of
years of which Mr. Beardsley was not a guiding spirit.
He made a success of every undertaking.

Mr. Beardsley died in 1894. There were six daughters
and no sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley. He had
the reputation of being one of the great financiers.

GEN. JOHN H. CHEDELL

Gen. Chedell was another one of the men of his time
who worked out a destiny with credit, honor and distinc-
tion. He made his own way from early boyhood and
filled a place in life's affairs that made him a conspicuous
figure in the community.

Gen. Chedell was born at Coventry, Tolland County,
Conn., April 24, 1807. When he was ten years of age his
father died leaving himself, mother and sisters without
dependence. Soon thereafter the mother and children
moved to Hartwick, Otsego county, N. Y. There John H.
Chedell, the boy, obtained about two years of schooling
and then became an apprentice at the watchmakers and
jewelers trade in Cooperstown. At twenty-one he had
accumulated a good knowledge of the business and a
little money. With these assets he located in Auburn

GEN. JOHN H. CHEDELL

I THE H;-'

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 177

and began his career in the jewelry business on Genesee
street. This was in 1829 and he continued in the business
until 1851. He had been frugal, prudent and keen in the
business and had made money. Chedell's jewelry store
was a well known establishment in the village and some
there are who remember it today.

Mr. Chedell during the years had been alert and inter-
ested in other lines of business and various enterprises
that gave promise of success and therefore profit. When
the first steam railroad was built from Auburn to Syracuse,
Mr. Chedell was one of the foremost figures in pushing
the work to completion. He was afterwards a director
in the road and realized a great profit from the investment
he had the courage to make when some others hestitated.
He was a man of great energy, optimistic in regard to the
success of great undertakings and always influenced by
the spirit of progress.

In manner Gen. Chedell was regarded by some as stern
and cynical but all who knew him intimately knew that
he had the kindliest heart and a broad mind that viewed
matters justly and generously. He was a staunch
friend to his friends and equally as good a friend to the
many causes that presented themselves in the community.
He contributed unstintedly to the churches of the city
and in great measure to St. Peters of which he was a
devoted member. The institutions of the city, the
Home of the Friendless, the Cayuga County Asylum
for destitute children and other public institutions profited
by his beneficences.

Gen. Chedell was for some years president of the Syra-
cuse National Bank and was identified with the building

178 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

of some of the railroads other than the New York Central.
He was also active in military affairs and did valuable
service in organizing and maintaining the military organi-
zations.

In 1828 Gen. Chedell married Miss Melita Cook,
daughter of Phillip Cook, Esq., of Bath, N. Y. They had
seven children, three sons and four daughters, none of
whom now survive. Gen. Chedell died June 19, 1875,
and thus closed the career of one of Auburn's notable
citizens.

HON. HORACE T. COOK

Horace T. Cook was born in Aurelius, July 22, 1822,
and was the son of Robert and Roxana Foote Cook who
were early settlers in Cayuga County. They moved to
Auburn when Horace T. was three years old. They
were of New England ancestry and in religion were
Presbyterians.

Horace T. was educated in Auburn schools and read
law with Hon. George Rathbun, and with Governor
Wm. H. Seward, was admitted to the bar and practised
law in Cayuga County in 1844, serving meanwhile as a
Justice of the Peace in 1846. Mr. Cook was first chosen
County Treasurer by the board of Supervisors. After the
revision of the constitution in 1848, the office was made
an elective one and Mr. Cook was elected thereto fifteen
consecutive times as County Treasurer of Cayuga County.
His last election occurred in 1893 and he was elected
without opposition.

He was County Treasurer during the Civil War, when
the office was an onerous one and Mr. Cook did the entire

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 179

work of the office without help, handUng all the bonds,
bounties, etc., by a system devised by himself without an
error. The last bond was cancelled in 1871, Cayuga
County being one of the first released from this obliga-
tion. Mr. Cook's practise of paying war debts with war
prices was successful. In 1883 the County Treasurer
took possession of the new offices and then had an assist-
ant.

Mr. Cook was one of the founders of the Cayuga County
Savings Bank, and served as one of its trustees and presi-
dent. He was treasurer of the First Presbyterian church
and served on the building committee when the present
edifice was erected. He was president of the Fort Hill
Cemetery Association, and was instrumental in having
erected the stone chapel which now adorns the entrance
to the Cemetery.

Mr. Cook married Mrs. Eliza Thompson of Allegan,
Michigan. She died May 18, 1853.

Mr. Cook's personality was strong and attractive;
throughout his life he made many friends and few enemies.
He was public spirited, his time and energy always being
at the disposal of charitable and public welfare causes.
Whatever he undertook was well done. As a business
man and servant of the people he possessed rare attain-
ments with a broad and open mind. Mr. Cook died in
Auburn, May 18, 1897.

CHAPTER VIII

INCORPORATION OF AUBURN AS A CITY

|N THE twenty-first day of March, 1848,
by a special Act of the Legislature, Auburn
was chartered as a city. For a period of
thirty-three years it has lived under a
village government. Auburn, when it was

incorporated as a village in 1815, had about one thousand

population; at the time of becoming a city it had nearly

nine thousand.

The first election under the charter was held on the

first day of April following the grant of the charter.

There were then five wards in the city; now there are ten.

The first Mayor chosen at this election was Cyrus C.

Dennis. The Mayors from 1848 to 1913 have been as

follows :

MAYORS

Cyrus C. Dennis, 1848; Daniel Hewson, 1849; Aure-
lian Conkling, 1850-1851; Benjamin F. Hall, 1852;
Thomas Y. How, Jr., 1853; George Underwood, 1854;
George Underwood resigned and Joshua Burt was elected
in June to fill the vacancy; John L. Watrous, 1855;
Sylvanus H. Henry, 1856; Lansingh Briggs, 1857-1859;
Christopher Morgan, 1860; George Humphreys, 1861-
1862; Jonas White, Jr., 1863; Charles G. Briggs, 1864;

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 181

George Humphreys, 1865; John S. Fowler, 1866-1867;
James E. Tyler, 1868; John M. Hurd, 1869; Eli Gallup,
1870; Thomas Kirkpatrick, 1871; Edward A. Thomas,
1872; John S. Brown, 1873; Charles N. Ross, 1874;
Theodore M. Pomeroy, 1875-1876; Alexander McCrea,
1877; Martin L. Walley, 1878; David M. Osborne,
1879-1880; Cyrenus Wheeler, Jr., 1881-1886; also 1889-
1890; Mortimer V. Austin, 1887-1888; David Wads-
worth, Jr., 1891-1892; John E. Mcintosh, 1893-1894;
Orlando Lewis, 1895-1900; William C. Burgess, 1901-
1902; Thomas M. Osborne, 1903-1905; E. Clarence
Aiken, 1906-1907; C. August Koenig, 1908-1909;
Thomas H. O'Neill, 1910-1913.

CITY CLERKS

The City Clerks have been: Theodore M. Pomeroy,
1848-1850; William F. Segoine, 1851; Frederic Prince,
1852-1856; James Seymour, Jr., 1857; Theodore H.
Schenck, 1858-1859; Amasa B. Hamblin, 1860; William
H. Meaker, 1861; Amasa H. Hamblin, 1862; Charles
E. Cootes, 1863; Charles F. Durston, 1864; Daniel
O'Sullivan, 1865; James Lyon, 1866-1867; Albert L.
Sisson, 1868; Sereno E. Payne, 1869-1870; Edwin
Baldwin, 1871-1874; Urban S. Benton, 1875-1876;
Sumner L. Paddock, 1877-1880; Harold E. Hills, 1881-
1884; John C. Healey, 1885-1888; Robert J. Carson,
1889-1894; Frank B. Ives, 1895-1898; Edward H.
Herrling, 1898-1904; F. Howard Hosmer, 1905; Joseph
S. Hanlon, 1906-1913.

182 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

POSTMASTERS

The postmasters of Auburn from 1800 to 1913 have
been as follows: 1800-1809, Dr. Samuel Crossett; 1809-
1815, Enos T. Throop; 1815-1833, George B. Throop;
1833-1837, Hiram Bostwick; 1837-1841, George Rath-
bun; 1841-1845, Wilham C. Beardsley; 1845-1847,
Amos F. Rathbun; 1847-1849, Michael S. Myers; 1849-
1855, Ethan A. Warden; 1855-1857, Elmore P. Ross;
1857-1861, Charles W. Pomeroy; 1861-1869, William
Allen; 1869-1873, Clinton D. MacDougall; 1873-1877,
John B. Richardson; 1877-1881, Noah P. Clark; 1881-
1885, E. D. Woodruff; 1885-1889, Wilham J. Moses;
1889-1893, John N. Knapp, Mr. Knapp resigned after
three years service and Larens J. Storke was named to
fill the vacancy. After the expiration of the unexpired
term for which he had been appointed, he was appointed
regularly and served until January, 1899. Paul R. Clark,
who is now serving his fourth term, was appointed January,
1899.

The present post office was erected in 1888. It is a
handsome Government building and very eligibly situated.
Immediately prior to 1888, the post office was located on
Exchange street.

COURT OF A THOUSAND JUDGES

It is a bit of interesting history that tells of Cayuga
County's Court of a Thousand Judges. A court so termed
and known existed from 1799 until 1847, a period of
forty-eight years.

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 183

The proposition and the corollary were as follows:
During these years a County Judge presided at the courts,
and with him in Court were three associate Judges, or
"side Judges," as they were often designated. These
side Judges came from among the lay citizens of the
county, Justices of the Peace or others who had an ambi-
tion to occupy a high seat in the tribunal and draw from
the county two dollars a day therefor. These three
associate Judges were denominated "ciphers," which
adequately expressed it, and therefore when arranged
in the proper decimal place made a 1000 Judges.

The first Judge of the Court was the Hon. Seth Phelps
of the town of Ledyard, and the second was the Hon.
Walter Wood of the same town. Then came the Hon.
Elijah Miller, of Auburn, and the Hon. Gershom Powers,
of Auburn, and the fifth and last was the Hon. Joseph
L. Richardson. The three ciphers at the right were
often composed of some very odd characters, who pre-
sented a spectacle bordering on the ridiculous. But they
were a part of the court, although they served more as
the "King jesters." They attended every Court and
sat in a row at the right hand of the Judge, and at the
end of the term of one or two weeks drew their pay and
returned to their homes.

THE OSWEGO STARCH FACTORY

An industry of great magnitude which had its origin
in Auburn, yet never was in Auburn, was the Oswego
Starch Factory, organized in 1848. It had the strong

184 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

men of the town as its promoters who developed the
concern into a wonderfully profitable proposition.

The process of making cornstarch, theretofore, was
essentially crude, but Thomas Kingsford, who was at
that time actively connected with a similar institution
in New Jersey, had developed a new and superior process
for making cornstarch. He had faith in the successful
working out of his discovery but he had no money to
establish a plant for the manufacture of the product.
In the circumstances he submitted the matter to Nelson
Beardsley, Dr. Sylvester Willard, Alonzo G. Beardsley,
and some others in Auburn to whom the proposition ap-
peared feasible and promising.

A company was therefore organized having as its
incorporators and officers the following Auburn citizens:
Nelson Beardsley, Dr. Sylvester Willard, Alonzo G. Beards-
ley, Roswell Curtis and Erastus Case. Dr. Willard was
chosen as president, Nelson Beardsley, vice-president,
Alonzo G. Beardsley, secretary and treasurer. It was
deemed best to establish the factory on or near some
body of water in order to have adequate shipping facilities,
and so Oswego was chosen as the location — hence the
title, the Oswego Starch Factory. It became known as
Kingsford's Starch Factory, and Kingsford's Starch
Factory was known the world over. Mr. Kingsford
meanwhile was in charge of the manufacturing of the
product.

Dr. Willard continued as president of the company
until his death, at which time he was succeeded by Thomp-
son Kingsford. At the death of Alonzo G. Beardsley,

I,

'-\j,\''M"i

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 185

Mr. William C. Beardsley was chosen secretary and
treasurer and continued in this capacity until the plant
was absorbed by the Corn Products Company, in 1904.
Under the original regime the Oswego Starch Factory
was marvelously successful, earning dividends that en-
riched its founders.

THE AUBURN GAS LIGHT COMPANY

The Auburn Gas Light Company was organized in
the early part of the year 1850 with a capital of $30,000.00.
The promoters and organizers were Roland E. Russell,
Capt. George B. Chase, Benj. F. Hall, Adam Miller,
William H. Van Tuyle, Thomas Hoadley, J. S. Bowen,
Albert G. Smith, Thomas Y. How, Jr., T. F. Terrill,
Andrew Johnson, E. B. Cobb, H. G. Ellsworth, Z. M.
Mason, Horatio Robinson and Paul D. Cornell.

At a meeting of the stockliolders held after the incor-
poration of the company, George B. Chase was chosen
president, Benjamin F. Hall, secretary, and Z. M. Mason,
treasurer.

The first gas manufactured in Auburn, however, was
at the plant of the Auburn Woolen Company, but on
September 1st, 1850, gas was turned into the mains and
the city had illumination. The Auburn Gas Light
Company in 1886 was consolidated with the Electric
Light Company and in 1911 was purchased by the Empire
Gas and Electric Company.

186 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

AUBURN WATER WORKS COMPANY

The Auburn Water Works Company was chartered in
April, 1859, with a capital of $100,000. A board of
directors was then chosen composed of the following
citizens: William Beach, Theodore Dimon, Benjamin
F. Hall, George W. Peck, Franklin L. Sheldon, Albert H.
Goss, William H. Carpenter, John D. Clark, and Paul
D. Cornell. Yet on account of the lack of money the
enterprise remained dormant until the spring of 1863.
By this time sufficient money had been raised to pro-
ceed with the work of construction. A new set of officers
was chosen as follows: Edward H. Avery, president;
Albert H. Goss, secretary and treasurer. The work of
laying the water mains began early in 1865 and before
the end of the year water was supplied to residents and
business places on the principal streets of the city. In
1894 the city purchased and took over the water company.

FORT HILL CEMETERY

Fort Hill Cemetery Association was formed May 15,
1851. The incorporators were: William C. Beardsley,
Michael S. Myers, Hugo B. Rathbun, John S. Watrous,
Josiah N. Starin, George Underwood, Thomas Y. How, Jr.,
and George W. Hatch. There were twelve trustees as
follows: Enos T. Throop Martin, James C. Derby,
Nelson Beardsley, Benjamin F. Hall, for one year; Mich-
ael S. Myers, Gen. John H. Chedell, Isaac S. Allen, and
Thomas Y. How, Jr., for two years and Cyrus C.Dennis,

■■■ AP.D \

riOH3, I

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 187

William C. Beardsley, John W. Haight and Zebina M.
Mason for three years.

The land for Fort Hill Cemetery was donated in August,
1851, by George W. Hatch and Mary Ann, his wife, of
New York, and Thomas Y. How, Jr., and Sarah his wife,
of Auburn.

The cemetery was formally dedicated on the seventh
day of July, 1852, at which time the various prominent
points in the grounds were named, Mount Auburn, the
High Bluff, Fort Alleghan, etc. m

Although Fort Hill was not formally opened until
July, 1852, burials had taken place there several months
prior. The first three burials were Elijah Miller, who
died November 13, 1851, the second was Mrs. Julia
Carpenter Graves, who died January 2, 1852, and the
third was Judge Joseph L. Richardson, who died April 12,
1853.

Topographically, Fort Hill is one of the most beautiful
cemeteries in the country. It occupies ground that
nature no doubt intended for a park. The cemetery
is artistically laid out and contains many handsome
monuments .

The beautiful chapel at the entrance to Fort Hill was
the gift of Silos L. Bradley, Esq., and his wife Jane
Loomis Bradley. It was erected at a cost of about
$20,000. It adds grace and harmony to the general
beauty of the cemetery.

Mr. Bradley was one of the honored citizens of Auburn.
He became a resident of Auburn in 1837 and was one of
the successful and respected merchants for many years.

188 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

He was director and president of the National Bank of
Auburn, a trustee of the Auburn Savings Bank, also of
the Orphan Asjdum, and for a long time a director in the
Auburn Water Works Company. Mr. Bradley was one
of the earnest, helpful and influential members of the
Second Presbyterian church, but contributed generously
to other churches and good causes.

THE AUBURN TRACT-DEPOSITORY ASSOCIATION

In line with many other movements in welfare work
and the spread of Christianity there was organized in
October, 1850, the Auburn Tract-Depository Association.
Its scope and purpose are set forth in the Society's decla-
ration as follows:

"Inasmuch as we regard it highly important for the
good of the community that the publications of the
'American Tract Society,' consisting of a large number
of Evangelical books and tracts adopted to every age
and to every class of individuals, be circulated and read
as extensively as possible we agree to form an association
called 'The iVuburn Tract-Depository Association,'
for the purpose of establishing and sustaining a Depository
of Books and Tracts of the American Tract society accord-
ing to the following plan:"

"The officers of the Association shall consist of a com-
mittee of five persons to be chosen annually from all the
rehgious denominations represented by the stockholders,
to be called the Committee of Supervisors."

At the first regular meeting held at the Association
rooms, No. 3 Genesee street, John Percival was chosen

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 189

secretary and treasurer. The Association was duly
incorporated and shares were placed at ten dollars. Ac-
cording to the by-laws any share holders upon becoming
dissatisfied could withdraw and receive either par value
in cash for the stock or an equivalent in books. There
were a large number of share holders, which indicated the
interest in the enterprise and the disposition to aid the
cause. The list contained the names of a large number
of the most representative citizens of the city.

The association distributed, not only locally but through-
out the country, Bibles, tracts and books along religious
lines. The Association continued for more than thirty
years, doing meanwhile a notable work in Christian and
moral uplifts.

LOUIS KOSSUTH, OF HUNGARY

Among the many interesting events in the earlier
years of Auburn's history was that of the visit in May,
1852, of Louis Kossuth, the Hungarian soldier and
patriot.

Governor Kossuth at that time was making a tour of
the United States incidentally to gain sympathy and
primarily to solicit money to aid Hungary in its life and
death struggle for independence. He met with a cordial
reception in Auburn and cash to the amount of more
than a thousand dollars was contributed by the citizens.

A special committee composed of the following named
citizens was appointed to go to Rochester and accompany
the distinguished guest and his party to Auburn: Hon.

190 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

John Porter, Stephen A. Goodwin, David Wright, Hon.
Samuel R. Blatchford, Thomas Y. How, Jr., James C.
Derby, Charles Carpenter, Clarence A. Seward, Charles
N. Tuttle, Larnard C. Mann and David C. Wallace.
The visiting party was escorted to Auburn in a private
car. There were the Governor and Madame Kossuth,
Francis Palskzy and Madame Palskzy and Governor
Kossuth's suite. They arrived in Auburn on Saturday
the 29th day of May.

p There was a notable demonstration. The city every-
where was decorated with Hungarian flags and banners
of various kinds to add to the attraction of the occasion.
Gen. Jesse Segoine was the marshal and the escort com-
prised the Weedsport and the Auburn Guards, members
of the City Common Council and the committee. They
were met at the station by carriages in which they were
all conveyed to the center of town. Madams Kossuth and
Palskzy being taken to the home of Secretary Seward
and^the others were quartered at the American Hotel.
The Kossuth Cadets, a boys' military organization formed
about that time by Gen. William H. Seward, then a boy
of twelve, occupied a conspicuous position in the demon-
stration.

Hon. Benjamin F. Hall delivered the address of wel-
come at the American Hotel and in the afternoon Governor
Kossuth delivered an address at the Second Presbyterian
Church. The party remained in Auburn until Sunday
night. Governor Kossuth left Auburn bearing the
generous sympathy of the citizens and a purse of cash.

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 191

ERASTUS CASE

Erastus Case, one of the distinguished residents of
Auburn, was born and grew to maturity in New England.
The family was of English descent and in the family of
Elish Case, his father, there were six sons all of whom
became active and prominent in various lines of endeavor.

Erastus Case became a resident of Auburn in 1843,
purchasing at that time the residence on Washington
street known as the Dr. Willard residence. He was then
past middle life and actively identified with many large
concerns and enterprises which had been successful to
the point of great wealth making. From 1843 to the
time of his death in 1857 he was one of the conspicuous
captains of industry in the western part of the state.
He had large interests in Chicago and also in some of the
trunk line railroads.

Mr. Case married in Connecticut, Mary, daughter of
Col. Theodore Pittibone. They had two children,
Theodore P. and Jane F. Case. The daughter married
Dr. Sylvester Willard of Auburn. Mrs. Case died in
Auburn, February 15, 1870.

THEODORE P. CASE

Theodore P. Case was the only son of Erastus Case. He
lived most of his life in Auburn. He never was active
in business affairs. He was a student, a scholar, a lover
of the classics and the world of literature. These and
cognate things had his heart and interest.

However, many worthy causes and institutions in
Auburn were beneficiaries of his generosity. The Case

192 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Memorial Hall at the Auburn Theological Seminary
besides munificent gifts of money, and gifts to the First
Presbyterian church and other institutions. He was
generous without ostentation, a good friend and a good
citizen.

ADAM MILLER

Adam Miller was born in the town of Sennett, February
11, 1814. In 1839 he became a contractor in the cooper-
age department at the prison. The firm was then Miller
& Taylor. They did a large business in this fine. Mr.
Miller was also engaged in the malting business. The
firm of Miller & Kennedy had malt houses at Weedsport,
Cleveland and Buffalo. The business was extensive
and the firm made money for many years.

When the Southern Central railroad was projected
Mr. Miller was one of the active spirits in promoting the
enterprises and was a stockholder in the Company. He
was also a director in the old First National Bank of
Auburn.

In addition to his business connections, Mr. Miller
was keenly interested in public affairs and worked earnest-
ly for the success of the Republican party candidates.
He served for several terms on the board of supervisors.
Mr. Miller died in Auburn, October 31, 1879.

LYMAN SOULE

The early life of Lyman Soule, although it had many
parallels in pioneer days, is an interesting one.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 193

Mr. Soule was one in a family of thirteen children.
He was born in 1794. The family then lived in Saratoga
County, N. Y. Lyman was the favorite among the
children. In 1806, or when he was twelve years of age,
the family migrated to Cayuga County taking all their
goods and chattels consisting of a rack full of household
goods, an ox team and two or three cows. Lyman,
barefooted and alone drove the cows through the woods
while the father drove the oxen and cared for the other
children. They settled a little distance out of Auburn
while Lyman in summer worked the best he could on the
farm. In winter, a little later, he walked to Auburn to
school. This went on until he was fifteen, at which time
he left the home and went to Sennett to work in a tannery.
He was industrious and faithful with the result that his
wages were increased from time to time until by frugality
he had saved a small sum of money. He then went on
foot to a town near Rochester where he was employed in
another tannery for two years. At the end of this time
he returned to Sennett and purchased an interest in the
tannery in which he was first engaged. This was the
foundation of the fortune which he accumulated. In all
things Mr. Soule was prudent and conservative, yet he
was not miserly. By his thrift and foresight he made
money and did much good with it.

In his adopted town of Sennett Mr. Soule was honored
with all the offices the town could bestow. Afterwards
he moved to Auburn and became identified in many
business institutions. He was a stockholder and director
in the Cayuga County National Bank, also the old First

194 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

National and the National Exchange Banks. Besides
he owned a vast amount of real estate in the city upon
which he cleared a large profit. In 1877 he donated the
land for Pine Ridge Cemetery, known as Soule's Cemetery,
located east of the city. Mr. Soule was remembered for
his many generous gifts to various good causes and for his
activity in building up and enhancing the realty value of
Auburn.

HORACE V. ROWLAND

Horace V. Rowland was born in Foster, Providence
County, Rhode Island, March 8, 1820. In 1847 he located
in Auburn and began reading law in the office of Seward,
Blatchford & Morgan. Upon being admitted to the bar
in 1849, he began practise at Port Byron. He gained
considerable prominence in his profession. He was a
delegate to the constitutional convention in 1873 when
the State constitution was revised.

In 1880 Mr. Rowland moved to Auburn and formed a
co-partnership with E. O. Wheeler, which continued
until Mr. Wheeler's death. Subsequent to this Mr.
Rowland was associated with Frank D. Wright, Esq.,
in the practise of the law. This partnership continued
until Mr. Rowland's death in 1894.

Mr. Rowland was regarded as one of the leaders of the
Cayuga County bar, a man of sterling character and a
worthy citizen.

EMEROUS D. CLAPP

Emerous D. Clapp, who established and built up one
of the successful industries of Auburn, was born in the

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 195

town of Ira, Cayuga County, in 1829. His father, O. P.
Clapp, moved from the town of Throop in 1820 and set-
tled on land which had come to him from the Govern-
ment in consideration of his military services in the war
of 1812. His mother was Lucy Tilden, born at Bath,
Windsor County, Vermont.

Mr. Clapp spent his early boyhood on the home farm
and attended the country school. Later he went to
Falley Seminary at Fulton, N. Y. At the age of sixteen
he taught school in his native town. He early married
Miss Sarah Van Patten, a resident of that community.

Soon thereafter Mr. Clapp moved to Ira and erected a
shop for the making of farm wagons and other vehicles.
Here he built up quite an industry, employing several
men. Finally, for the lack of necessary capital to carry
on the greater business which he planned, Mr. Clapp
leased his shop and engaged for a time in another line of
business. In this he made money, which enabled him to
move to Auburn in 1856 and engage in the livery business.
In 1864 he procured a patent on a thill coupling device,
and three years later he began the manufacture of this
article.

For a time Mr. Clapp had a shop on old Mechanic
street near the Outlet. The sale soon spread throughout
the country and a larger and better equipped factory
was demanded. Drop forgings for carriages were also
made, which added strength and scope to the business.
Meanwhile M. F. Van Patten an expert workman became
associated with Mr. Clapp and they continued together
for a long period of years. The business grew rapidly

196 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

so that the factory built on Water street in 1869 became
too small and larger quarters were needed. The firm
was then Clapp & Fitch. Mr. Fitch, however, retired
in 1873 and a new company known as the E. D. Clapp &
Co., was then formed. In 1874 a factory was erected at
the corner of Genesee and Division street, to accommodate
the greater business and in 1876 the E. D. Clapp Manu-
facturing Company was organized with a capital of
$150,000. Now the E. D. Clapp Company manufactures
hardware specialties and is one of the strong and success-
ful industries of the city.

Mr. E. D. Clapp had three children, two daughters and
one son D. E. Clapp now the head of the Company.
Mr. E. D. Clapp died in 1889.

HON. BENJAMIN F. HALL

Hon. Benj. F. Hall was born in the town of Whitehall,
Washington County, N. Y., July 23, 1814. He settled
in Auburn in 1835 when he was twenty-one years of age.
He had already nearly completed his law reading and
upon becoming a resident of Auburn, he entered the law
office of Judge Elijah Miller, and a little later was with
Seward & Beardsley. In 1837 Mr. Hall was admitted
to practise and in the following year became a partner in
the law firm of Porter, Beardsley and Hall. This partner-
ship continued until 1841, when Mr. Hall withdrew and
entered into partnership with John P. Hurlbert, Esq.,
and remained with him until 1846. At this time the
partnership was dissolved, Mr. Hall desiring to carry on

HON. BENJAMIN F. HALL

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AiiTon, LSNOX ANP
T«LBF.M FOUNDATIOf^iS,

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 197

the practise alone, which he did until March 1861. At
this time he was appointed by the Government as Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of Colorado. He served
in this capacity four years, during which time he laid the
foundation for a systematic and enlightened judiciary.
His services were highly regarded and received the most
cordial commendation of both the Government and the
bar of Colorado.

As early as 1844 Mr. Hall was elected to the State
Lgislature and while there his ability as an orator and
legislator were recognized. He was chosen Mayor of
Auburn in 1852 and made a good Mayor. When Louis
Kossuth, of Hungary, visited Auburn in 1852, Mr. Hall
was chosen to deliver the address of welcome. This was
a memorable occasion of which Mr. Hall was one of the
most striking figures.

After his return from Colorado, Mr. Hall was tendered
several important posts in the diplomatic service, but he
declined. Later, however, he accepted the position of
superintendent of commercial statistics under Secretary
Wilham H. Seward. In addition to all these, Mr. Hall
was a journalist of high ability. He was at various times
editor of different newspapers in Auburn and in this line
he evinced much literary talent along with executive
ability. He died in Auburn, September 6, 1891.

HON. CHRISTOPHER MORGAN

Hon. Christopher Morgan, one of the distinguished
citizens of Auburn and Cayuga County, came from a
distinguished family. The Morgans were in the fore-

198 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

front of everything that made for progress, for the ad-
vancement of civihzation and good citizenship. By their
lives and acts they left upon Cayuga County a beneficial
and lasting impress.

Hon. Christopher Morgan was born at Aurora, June 4,
1808. He received his preparatory education at the
local school and entered Yale College in 1826, graduating
in 1830. Upon completing his college course, Mr.
Morgan elected the law as his profession, and therefore
became a law student in the office of Seneca Wood of
Aurora, and a little later entered the law office of Miller &
Seward in Auburn. After being admitted, Mr. Morgan
returned to iVurora, and became a partner of Ebenezer
W. Arms. They practised together until 1839, at which
time Mr. Morgan was elected to Congress, and in 1841
was reelected. He was an able and influential member of
the House, taking an active part in the session which
enacted the bankrupt, tariff, and land distribution laws.
He was popular and commanded the respect of his asso-
ciates. After the expiration of his second term in Con-
gress Mr. Morgan formed a partnership with the Hon.
Samuel Blatchford in Auburn, which thereafter was his
residence.

From 1848 to 1852 Mr. Morgan served as Secretary
of State, and discharged his duties while in Albany with
the same degree of intelligence and fidelity that dis-
tinguished his career at Washington. In 1860 Mr.
Morgan was elected Mayor of Auburn, and was for many
years and up to his death, a trustee of the Asylum at
Utica, N. Y. Mr. Morgan was a man of broad mind, a
good heart and a high sense of honor and citizenship.

HON. CHRISTOPHER MORGAN

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 199

In 1832 Mr. Morgan married Miss Mary Elizabeth
Pittney, daughter of Dr. Joseph L. Pittney. They had
three daughters, the eldest of whom, Cornelia Louise
married Mr. C. Eugene Barber of Auburn, the second,
Mary Elizabeth married Mr. William C. Barber and
Miss Frances Adelaide became the wife of William Bealby
Brown. She is the only surviving child.

In the Christopher Morgan home on Genesee street
many people of note were, entertained at various times.
Such personages as President Millard Filmore, Governor
Horatio Seymour, Governor Morgan, Henry Clay, and
Daniel Webster, Jenny Lind, Charlotte Cushman and
divers others. Mr. Morgan died in Auburn, 1888.

PARLIMENT BRONSON

Parliment Bronson was a native of Vernon, N. Y. He
located in Auburn about 1825, and began the practise of
the law. For a long time he was a partner of Richard L.
Smith, Esq., the firm name being Bronson & Smith. Mr.
Bronson was a brilliant and well educated lawj^er and in
association with Mr. Smith enjoyed great distinction and
a large practise. Mr. Bronson married a daughter of
Robert Dill, one of the early and prominent citizens. He
died June 20, 1857.

FIRST PUBLIC HACK

The first public hack in Auburn having four wheels
was owned by Mr. Markham who built the first public
hall. It was an odd looking vehicle with entrance at the

200 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

rear and steps leading up to the door. It was the only
one in the young city and consequently was much in
demand. Phillip Welch was in charge of this conveyance
and was very proud of the appearance it made on the
street. Welch was as popular as was the hack he drove
and both were a feature of the town life for a long time.

THE AUBURN GARDEN

In the early fifties and for several succeeding years there
was a public garden on the south side of Dill street and in
the rear of the present stores of Mosher, Griswold & Co.
There was an entrance to this garden also through the
restaurant and store of Monsieur Leonard, for at that
time he occupied a store on Genesee street, the rear of
which looked out upon the garden. Monsieur Leonard
was an interesting character, a testy little Frenchman
with many quips and quirks in his nature. Yet he was
popular and conducted a good restaurant and attracted
the best people of the town. For a long time it was
Bemius & Leonard.

But the garden at the rear of their store was a gala
place in summer. The Auburn Garden had a place in
the public mind and eye. Many shows of one kind or
another exhibited from time to time. Barnum's and
Dan Rice's shows, in the days when they were small,
held forth in the garden, and fire works, balloon ascensions
and many aggregations of various kinds occupied the
ground and attracted a crowd. It was a popular place
for quite a period of time.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 201

Besides this there was in those years the museum up-
stairs in Gen. Chedell's building, the building now occupied
by the J. W. Rice Company's stores. This Museum
was a veritable curiosity shop, and the wax works shown
were as wonderful as were Mrs. Jarley's wax works.
The Museum occupied a part of two floors in the building,
and a small charge was laid for the privilege of viewing
the collection. As far back as 1815, however, wax figures
were exhibited in Glover & Bostwick's tavern. The
charge for admission to this was six pence.

The first public hall in Auburn was that in the Chedell
building and there was a hall in the Columbian block
on North street. A little later Mr. Markham erected a
building on North street between the present Burtis
Grand and the Outlet. In this building was Markham
hall. Then came Stawford hall, which later was changed
to Corning hall. The fourth was the Burtis Opera House.
All of these were on North street with the exception of
that in the Chedell building.

Along in these years a Mr. Bundy, or "Old Man
Bundy" as he was sometimes called, conducted a spelling
school in a room over a store on Genesee street east of
North street.

Many young people attended Mr. Bundy's spelling
school, not always for what could be learned, but oftener
for the enjoyment extracted from the occasion. Mr.
Bundy had long hair and wore spectacles that were always
perilously close to the end of his nose. He would hold
a candle in one hand and a Cobb's Spelling Book in the
other, from which he pronounced the words in a shrill

202 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

voice that j)enetrate(] the atmosphere outside, liundy's
spelhng school was an institution in which no Httle amount
of interest centered.

Judge Leland in his day was a devoted member of the
Second Presbyterian Church and took unctuous pride in
punctually attendin<^' every morning service. Judge
Leland lived on Grover street. He was a stout, rotund
figure with a very large head from which nearly every
sprout of hair had departed. Tic always carried a large
bandana handkerchief and when he arrived at the church
of a Sunday morning, he would tie a knot in each corner
of his handkerchief and thus make a hood to cover his
bald head so that he could sleep unpestered by the flies
during the service. Judge Inland with his red bandana
hood came to be a recognizx'd feature of the morning
service.

PROFESSOR POPPLE

A character who was much in the ])ublic local eye in the
forties and fifties was Professor Popple. Mentally,
Professor Popple was not a great force, but physically he
was much in evidence. He was the butt of many practical
jokes and the scape-goat in many unseemly i)ranks on the
j)art of others.

In the early years of the steam railroad in Auburn the
passenger station was located on East Oenesee street at
the liead of (iardcn street, where Schreck Brothers' furn-
iture store is at present. The trains then went from the
main line up (harden street to this station. After this
was abandoned as a station the building was used for

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 203

various purposes. Sometimes a small menagerie was
housed there for the winter. Prof. Popple occasionally
had charge of the animals. Once some of the animals
broke away and Prof. Popple on horseback started in
pursuit of them. Among them was a very bellicose
wild buffalo, which was a particular terror to the Pro-
fessor. For a time it was a question which would be
corralled first, but finally with the aid of others, the animals
were again safely housed, Prof. Popple taking to himself
all the credit for the capture.

Prof. Popple also kept the pound which was then on
Mechanic, now Osborne street. East of this was an
open country and much of it pasture land. Cattle were
not permitted to roam the streets under penalty of a fine,
and for all cases in violation of the law Prof. Popple
received a per capita sum for detaining them in his pound.
This was a source of easy income for Prof, Popple, and
it is said that he was not averse sometimes to using undue
influence to get the cattle within his zone of authority.
It was mostly by reasons of such acts that Prof. Popple
left his mark on the community.

ALVAH RUDE — THE CHARACTER

Probably the most distinguished all-around odd charac-
ter in or about Auburn was Alvah Rude.

Rude possessed characteristics that placed him in a
class by himself. He was a compound of many contradic-
tory cjualities. He was educated, he was a fool, yet he
was very wise in some respects. He had many traits of

204 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

a vagabond, yet he was not a first-class tramp, although
he spent most of his life as a tramp.

Alvah Rude had good parentage, and relations not
■v\dthout means. They aided him with money and no
doubt tried to keep him in balance, but the kink in his
mind made him what he was, a unique character. Rude
lived in Auburn a great part of the time, although he
traveled the country over. Like most others of his class,
Rude never paid railroad fare, he got passage in some way
and left it to the railroad to collect the fare if it could.
Once, it is said, he was in Indianapolis and was intent
on catching a train out, when a railroad man halted him,
whereupon Rude very courteously inquired, "In which
direction is this train bound.'^" The trainman replied,
'West" to which Rude replied,' "I beg your pardon, I
w^ant to go east."

Rude was a ready speaker upon many subjects. He
took pleasure in haranguing a crowd on politics or temper-
ance. At a Fourth of July celebration, held near Auburn
one year. Rude was present and when the stated orator
of the occasion began to speak. Rude climbed to the
branches of a tree nearby and started a rival oration. He
attracted most of the crowd and something had therefore
to be done to preserve the dignity and order of the occasion.
In this emergency the Rev. William Searles approached
Rude with the information that he had been chosen vice-
president of the Committe of Arrangements and that a
place was awaiting him on the platform. Rude graciously
accepted with thanks and took a place upon the plat-
form.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 205

When Governor Louis Kossuth was in Auburn in May,
1852, he was driven to the Second Presbyterian church in
a carriage drawn by four white horses and as Gov. Kossuth
ahghted from the carriage, Rude stepped in and closed
the door. The driver unaware of this, drove back
through the streets while Rude bowed and raised his hat
to the throng along the way. Rude was a frequent guest
at the Western Exchange and the American Hotel in the
city. He was often kicked or turned out but this never
deterred him from returning.

Rude in his later years became uncouth and unkempt.
He wore long hair and bushy, long whiskers. He drove
a horse and sulky, both of which were too decrepit to
stand alone, but he derived pleasure from this old one-
horse shay, w^hich was presented to him by some ac-
quaintance.

Yet with his many cjuirks and idiosyncrasies Alvah
Rude had some pride and was in some degree a gentle-
man. He finally passed and in spite of his worthlessness.
Rude was missed in the community.

John Ford was another queer character. He was a
morbid, silent fellow. He slept over Walley's drug store
for several years. He usually went hatless and always
went barefooted. Ford mingled very little with the world
and kept his own counsels.

CHAPTER IX

Auburn's place in the civil war

]N THE preceding pages of this work the
mihtary organizations and the mihtary
zeal in Auburn have received merited
mention. On account of the very con-
spicuous manifestations in this particular
line of assiduity they form an interesting part of the
history; and whatever honor was won in the earlier
years, it was added to and made still more illustrious
during the Civil War. The record of the volunteers
and the number of organized bodies of troops that went
forth from Auburn in this war are almost without a
parallel in any section of equal population. Moreover,
the galaxy of leaders who went to the front and won
commanding positions is also an interesting clause in
the story. There are only two of the latter now living,
the two most distinguished, therefore, this history would
be incomplete without giving them proper place.

A considerable time before the first call for volunteers
was issued, and several months before Fort Sumter
was attacked, there was military activity in Auburn
in anticipation of the event. In the early part of Novem-
ber, 1860, Terence J. Kennedy had enlisted at his personal
expense one hundred and seventy-five men and was
drilling them in the streets and in an open field adjacent
to the city. Furthermore, it has been asserted on valid

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 207

authority that Colonel Kennedy was the first man to
enroll as a soldier early in November of that year, a
circumstance which surely would entitle him to a place
in the Hall of Fame.

The Civil War period is now far in the past and the
cause for which the war was waged being practically
out of mind, it is not intrinsically worth while to dwell
here on the minor details of the early local movements
in connection therewith, but rather to put down the
record and achievements of the various organizations
that went out, together with the notable career of some
of their leaders.

Including the Cowan Battery, there were six regiments
sent from Auburn. They were recruited in the military
district which, of course, was composed of several counties.
Captain Kennedy's company was mustered into service
on the 22d day of May 1861, being a part of the Nine-
teenth Regiment New York Volunteers. The Regiment
was composed of ten companies, John T. Baker was
captain of Company A., Terence J. Kennedy, Company
B., James E. Ashcroft, Company C, Owen Gavigan,
Company D., Theodore H. Schenck, Company E.,
Nelson T. Stephens, Company F., Charles H. Stewart,
Company G., Solomon Giles, Company H., John H. Am-
mon. Company I. and James R. Angel, captain of Com-
pany K.

John S. Clark was the Colonel; Clarence A. Seward,
Lieutenant-Colonel; James H. Ledly, Major; Henry M.
Stone, Adjutant; Theodore Dimon, Surgeon. This
regiment first went into camp at Elmira. As attesting

(f.^

208 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

the interest and patriotic feeling of the Auburn people,
the Nineteenth Regiment while in camp received from
ladies of Auburn a handsome regimeni al flag.

The Nineteenth Regiment, a few months after leaving
Auburn, was reorganized and became the Third Light
Artillery. In February and March, 1862, nearly one
hundred recruits under Lieutenants Boyle and Kirby
went out to join the Third Artillery in order to bring the
regiment up to the full quota.

The enlistment and organization of the Seventy-fifth
Regiment of New York Volunteers followed soon after
the Nineteenth, or Third Artillery. There were nine
hundred men mustered in. The Regiment left Auburn
November 30, 1861, for New York on the way to the field
of action.

E The Colonel of this Regiment was John A. Dodge;
Lieutenant-Colonel, Robert B. Merritt; Major, Willough-
by D. Babcock; Adjutant, E. B. Lansing; Surgeon,
Michael D. Benedict; Quartermaster, Lewis E. Carpenter;
Chaplain, Thomas B. Hudson.

The Regiment was composed of nine companies and
the captains were as follows: Company A., Clinton D.
MacDougall; Company B., Truman K. Tuller; Company
C, William H. Gray; Company D., Charles C. Dwight;
Company E., Luther Goodrich; Company F., Henry
Bates Fitch; Company G., John E. Savery; Company H.,
John Clioate; Company I., Lansing Porter.

The city was at this time filled with recruiting stations
and many public meetings were being held, at which the
leading citizens were discussing ways and means of aiding

.:>

^^

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 209

the cause. The Seventy-fifth Regiment was assigned
to duty in the Department of the South.

During this time Captain Kennedy's Independent
Battery was raised, one hundred and twenty-five men
being enhsted in sixty days. This organization went out
as Kennedy's First Light Battery, New York State
Volunteers. It was mustered into service November 23,
1861, under a three years' service enHstment. The
ojfficers of the Battery were: Captain T. J. Kennedy and
First Lieutenant Andrew Cowan; Second Lieutenant,
Wm. P. Wright. The Battery left Auburn December 2d,
1861.

Immediately after this the One Hundred and Eleventh
Volunteer Infantry Regiment was raised. It was com-
posed of more than eighteen hundred men, including
recruits afterwards assigned. The officers were: Colonel,
Jesse Segoine; Lieutenant-Colonel Clinton D. ^Nlac-
Dougall; Major, Seneca B. Smith; Surgeon, William
Vosburg; Assistant Surgeon, James D. Benton; Second
Assistant Surgeon, D. S. Hopkins; Adjutant, Henry H.
Segoine; Sergeant Major, Irving Jacques; Quarter-
master Sergeant, Fred M. Coffin; Commissary Sergeant
Jerome M. Lattin.

The One Hundred and Eleventh went to the front in
response to the call for more troops in July, 1862. Cap-
tain MacDougall, who was formerly with the Seventy-
fifth, had now become Lieutenant-Colonel of this regi-
ment. Colonel Segoine, on account of age and ill health
soon resigned and Lieutenant-Colonel MacDougall was
placed in command. The regiment was recruited in the

210 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Counties of Wayne and Cayuga during July, 1862. Com-
panies A, B, D and E were from Wayne County, Com-
panies C, F, G, H, I and K being from Cayuga. It was
mustered into the United States Service August 20, 1862,
leaving for the front August 21st. It reported to General
Wool in Baltimore and was assigned to the command of
Colonel Dixon S. Miles at Harpers Ferry, where it was
included in the surrender of that place, September 15,
1862, with about 10,000 other troops they were sent to
Camp Douglass, Chicago. Here they remained until
exchanged late in November, 1862. They were then
transferred to Casey's Division of the 22d Army Corps,
and did duty at Hunting Creek, Fairfax Seminary, and
Centreville, Virginia, until June 25, 1863, when they
were assigned to the 3d Division 2d Corps, taking part in
the battle of Gettysburg, where the regiment lost 71 per
cent of all the men engaged, in killed and wounded.
From June 25th, to the reorganization of the army in the
winter of 1863-4, they were part of General Alexander
Hay's 3d Division. They were then transferred to the
First Division, Second Corps, then commanded by
General Francis C. Barlow, and afterwards by General
Nelson A. Miles, and finally by General C. D. MacDougall.
After the reorganization of the army that winter, the
Regiment took part in every battle of the 2d Corps of the
Army of the Potomac and was on the front line at Appo-
mattox, and the flag of truce went through the 111th
lines to demand the enemy's surrender. The total
enlistments were as follows: Enlisted men 1730, officers
75, total 1,805. The casualties, during service were as

GEN. CLINTON D. MAC UOUCJAIJ.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 211

follows: Enlisted men killed 394, officers 12, total 406,
wounded enlisted men 531, officers 26, total 557, or fifty-
three and one-third per cent of the whole number. Colonel
Fox's history names the 111th as one of the 300 fighting
Regiments of the War.

The One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment was
at once recruited in Cayuga and Wayne Counties. The
138th had about thirty -two hundred men, thus being the
largest regiment numerically that went out of Auburn.

The Field and Staff officers of the regiment were as
follows: Colonel, Joseph Welling; Lieutenant-Colonel,
William H. Seward, Jr.; Major, Edward P. Taft; Ad-
jutant, William R. Wasson; Sergeant Major, Lyman C.
Comstock; Quartermaster, Henry P. Knowles. This
regiment afterwards became the Ninth New York Heavy
Artillery. It left Auburn September 12, 1862 and pro-
ceeded to Washington where it formed with General
Haskin's Division of the Twenty-Second Army Corps
and aided in the defense of the Capital. The regiment,
however, saw much active service and participated in
several battles. It was engaged in the fight about Cold
Harbor which continued from June first to the eleventh
and received from General Ricketts and General Mead
unstinted commendation for the successful part it took
in the engagements. From Cold Harbor the Sixth Corps,
of which the Ninth Heavy Artillery was then a part,
went to Petersburg and there again the regiment did
valiant service, also at the battle of Monocracy.

In May, 1863, Gen. Joseph Welling resigned the com-
mand of the regiment and Lieutenant-Colonel William H.

212 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Seward, Jr., succeeded him, and from that thne on he was
in command. Colonel Seward was a tactful commander,
a gallant leader and popular among his men.

The One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment New York
Volunteers was recruited in the fall of 1862. Captain
Charles C. D wight who went out with the 75th Regiment
returned home from New Orleans and accepted the
Colonelcy of the regiment, which was raised in the Auburn
Military district. It left for the front in November.
The Field and Staff Officers of the regiment were : Colonel,
Charles C. D wight; Lieutenant-Colonel, John B. Van
Patten; Major, William Sentell; Adjutant, Garton W.
Allen; Surgeon, Cyrus Powers; Assistant Surgeon,
David H. Armstrong; Chaplain, William H. Puttman;
Quartermaster, Dighton H. Wirans.

The One Hundred and Sixtieth went to the Depart-
ment of the Gulf and was assigned to the same brigade
and division as the 75th, and served beside that regiment
until the close of the war, having seen very severe ser-
vice in the Red River and Port Hudson campaigns.

The One Hundred and Ninety-third Regiment was re-
cruited in the spring of 1865 by Captain JohnN.Knapp,
Captain Knapp had been provost marshal and resigned
to assist in raising the regiment. The officers of the 193d
were as follows: Colonel, J. B. Van Patten; Lieutenant-
Colonel, John C. Gilmore; Major, Alfred Morton;
Adjutant, Thurlow B. Wasson; Quartermaster, Charles
H. Bailey; Surgeon, David H. Armstrong; Chaplain, W.
D. Chase.

The regiment barely got into the field, however, before
peace was declared yet it completed a most remarkable

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 213

record of recruits from Auburn and the military district
of which it was the center.

GEN. CLINTON D. MAC DOUGALL

Long service in the war of the Rebelhon tended to
develop and bring out the metal and military qualities
of both the commanders and the soldiers, and the fighting
and staying qualities of the troops were in great part due
to the discipline and influence of their superior officers.
It was in this one regard as much as any other that
General MacDougall achieved success and won high
repute as commander. He was not only a good dis-
ciplinarian, but his judgment of affairs and events was
quick and accurate. This was a valuable asset which
often accrued to his advantage in times when much
depended upon sagacious and wise action. On account
of these qualities Gen. Mac Dougall's counsel was many
times sought by both officers and commanders.

In May, 1861, Gen. MacDougall enlisted in the 75th
Regiment and was named first Captain in the regiment,
Captain of Company A. During the succeeding year
he was in active service and won many commendations
for bravery and efficiency. In May, 1862, while returning
to camp from a scouting trip, he was badly wounded by
a shot from a Union picket under the impression that
Gen. MacDougall was a rebel. This completed cessation
from duty for a while, during which time he returned to
his home to recuperate. It was during this period that
he became active in raising the One Hundred and Eleventh

214 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Regiment. When the regmient was finally recruited
Gen. MacDougall was tendered the Colonelcy, but
declined in favor of an older man, as he was then only
twenty-three. He, howe^'er, accepted the Lieutenant
Colonelcy and went out with his regiment, which became
a part of the Twenty-Second Army Corps. One year
later the regiment was transferred to the Second Army
Corps and became a part of General Hay's Division in
Hancock's Corps.

Early in January, 1863, Lieutenant-Colonel MacDougall
was made Colonel of the 111th and was its commanding
oflacer from that time until the close of the war. During
the historic three days battle at Gettysburg, Col. Mac-
Dougall with the 111th bore the brunt of much of the
hardest fighting, and they performed so bravely and so
effectively, that General Hancock in his report to the
War Department made special mention of the regiment
and its commander. When Colonels Willard and Sherrill
fell in this battle. Col. MacDougall was called to the
command of the Third Brigade, Third Division Second
Army Corps. When the reorganization of the Third
army took place after this event. Col. MacDougall was
placed in command of the Third Brigade, First Division
of the Second Army Corps. Throughout the long strug-
gle he was in the forefront of activity. Six horses at
various times were shot under him and in four different
battles he received wounds, at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.
at Bristow, Virginia October 14, 1863, at Petersburg,
June 22, 1864, and at Sutherland's Station, April 2,1865.
From January 3, 1863, to June 25th following. Col. Mac-

GEN. WILLIAM H. SEWARD

.i.. .

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 215

Dougall commanded the post at Centreville, Virginia.
In February, 1865, he was brevetted Brigade General,
In June of the same year the Government tendered him
a Lieutenant-Colonelcy in the regular army which he
declined. His career as a soldier and officer was dis-
tinguished for bravery, efficiency and unerring judgment.

From the close of the war almost up to the present
date, General MacDougall has been in the public eye
because of the part he has taken in public affairs. Yet
he has declined more offices than he has accepted, although
he has filled many important posts. In 1869 he was
appointed postmaster of xVuburn and served until 1873.

In 1872 he was elected to Congress and re-elected in
1874, in which service he distinguished himself again
for ability and good statesmanship. It was during his
last term in Congress that the first movement toward
securing a new government building in Auburn began.
General MacDougall secured the first appropriation to
cover cost of plans and specifications for the desired post-
office.

In 1876 Gen. MacDougall was tendered the United
States Treasurership but declined the office, also that
of Commissioner of Internal Revenue. In the same year
he also declined the office of Commissioner of Patents.
The following year, however, he was made Marshal of
the Northern District of New York, When R. B. Hayes
became president he tendered to Gen. MacDougall the
consul-generalship of either Great Britain or France, also
the consulate at Cairo, all of which were declined. He,
however, served four years as marshal at that time and

216 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

was reappointed by President Garfield. In 1901 he was
appointed again to the same office, the first appointment
coming from President McKinley and the second from
President Roosevelt.

Gen. MacDougall was for many years vice-president
of the board of trustees of the New York Soldiers' Home
at Bath, N. Y., and later was elected president, a position
he still holds. He was born at Glasgow, Scotland, June
14, 1839. He came to Auburn when a boy and received
his education in the Jordan Academy. For ten years
from 1860 he was associated with William H. Seward, Jr.,
in the banking business.

GENERAL WILLIAM H. SEWARD

General William H. Seward is distinguished not only as
a military leader and valiant soldier but also as a citizen,
a business man, a factor in public affairs, and a force in
all things that make for the advancement of right stand-
ards of citizenship. He was born in Auburn, June 18,
1839 and from early manhood has been active, interested
and influential in a marked degree.

General Seward was the son of Secretary William H.
and Frances Miller Seward whose lives and works were
inseparably a part of Auburn. At the age of twenty-one
William H. Seward, Jr., established the banking house of
W'illiam H. Seward, Jr. & Company, his partner being
then Clinton D. MacDougall. The banking house has
continued to the present without a blemish or a question
in regard to its stability or the business integrity of its
founder and head.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 217

The bank, however, had been started but little more
than a year when the War of the Rebellion came on and
Mr. Seward, like his partner, answered to the call for
volunteers. He devoted time and energy to the raising
of troops and the forming of the military organizations
that went out of Auburn. Early in 1862 Mr. Seward
was appointed one of the war committee of his congres-
sional district, of which committee he was secretary. He,
in August, 1862, went as Lieutenant-Colonel in the 138th
Regiment, afterwards the Ninth Heavy Artillery, leaving
his business interests in charge of others. In September
following his regiment was assigned to duty in Haskin's
Division, Twenty-second Army Corps, then acting in the
defense of the National Capital. There, under the direc-
tions of the army engineers, Lieutenant-Colonel Seward
was active in the construction of the fortification along
the Potomac, Fort Foote and many others. In the spring
of 1863 President Lincoln, through the War Department
sent Col. Seward on a secret mission to General Banks,
who was then operating near New Orleans. Although a
young man and young in the service the duty was perform-
ed with complete satisfaction in face of many
dangers.

In the early part of 1864 he was advanced to the rank
of Colonel and was given command of the Ninth Heaxy
Artillery Regiment. He then joined the army of the
Potomac at Hanover Court House, becoming a part of the
Second Brigade, Rickett's Third Division and Wright's
Army Corps under General Grant. From that time to
the close of the active fighting. Colonel Seward and his

218 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

regiment were in many engagements, at Petersburgh and
Richmond, that at Cold Harbor being one of special im-
portance. In the latter, Colonel Seward personally led
his regiment, which sustained a loss of one hundred and
forty-two killed and wounded. He won high commenda-
tions from General Mead for his bravery and ability.
Following this on July 6th Colonel Seward with four
companies of his regiment, with part of General Rickett's
Division, was sent to Frederick, Maryland, to intercept
General Early who, with a force of rebels, was on the way
to attack Baltimore and Washington. On the ninth
he commanded his regiment in the battle of Monocacy,
a bitterly contested engagement, in which Colonel Seward
was wounded and also sustained further disaster in a
broken leg, caused by the falling of his horse on being
shot. For this gallant service again General Lew Wallace
made special mention of him in his report to the War
Department in recognition of his ability and valor.
General Seward was soon thereafter appointed brigadier
general of Volunteers, and upon recovery from his wounds,
he was placed in command of the First Brigade, Third
Division, Department in the Shenandoah Valley. After-
wards he was for a time in command of the Third Division
at Harper's Ferry.

General Seward continued in active service until the
close of the war, and returned bearing the honor won as a
valiant soldier and successful commander.

In Auburn General Seward has been interested and
active in nearly all the important enterprises that have
aided in building up and strengthening the commercial

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 219

affairs of the town. In politics he has always been a
consistent and devoted Repubilcan, and has worked
zealously to advance the party's interests. He has not
been an office seeker, however, although he has been
chosen as presidential elector and in 1884 could have
been nominated for Governor of the state had he seen fit
to meet certain demands, but General Seward preferred
not to accept the place under such circumstances.

General Seward has been president of the City Hospital
board, of the Cayuga County Savings Bank, a stockholder
and director in the American Express Company, vice-
president of Wells College, president of the Cayuga County
Historical Society, and for more than thirty years main-
tained at his personal expense the Auburn Free Reading
Room for working men. This was a popular institution
and attracted a large number of men from all walks
in life. The attendance reached as high as forty thousand
a year. These are a few of the many things that have
had his interest. There are many others and many
business connections other than those mentioned.

On June 27th, 1860, General Seward married Miss
Janet M. Watson, of Auburn. They have one son,
William H. Seward, Jr., and two daughters, Mrs. Fred-
erick I. Allen and Mrs. Ray S. Messenger. He has six
grandsons.

HON. CHARLES C. DWIGHT

Hon. Charles C. Dwight was a soldier and commander
in the Civil War, although his position and distinction
were won as a lawyer and jurist.

220 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Judge Dwight was born in Richmond, Berkshire County,
Mass., September 15, 1830, and graduated at WiUiam's
College in 1850. He read law in Albany and was ad-
mitted to practise in 1853. In 1859 he began the practise
in Auburn, being elected County Judge in 1860. He
served until 1861 when he resigned and enlisted in the
75th Regiment, being commissioned captain of Company
D. In 1862 Captain Dwight was appointed assistant
Adjutant General of Volunteers and assigned to duty on
the staff of General Lewis G. Arnold at Fort Pickens. In
1862 he was commissioned Colonel of the One Hundred
and Sixtieth New York Volunteers. In the following
year he was appointed Judge of the Provost Court of
New Orleans, and in 1864 acted as commissioner in the
exchange prisioners in the Department of the Gulf.

In 1856 Colonel Dwight returned to Auburn and
resumed the practise of the law. In 1867 he was a dele-
gate to the constitutional convention and in 1868 was
appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Justice Henry Wells.
In 1869 he was elected Justice, also in 1877 and in 1891,
and M^as assigned to the General Term in Fifth Depart-
ment. He was appointed residing justice January 1,
1860. Judge Dwight afterwards was appointed to the
Appellate Division but declined. He died in Auburn,
April 8, 1902, after a busy and successful life crowned
with honor and made more illustrious by great measure
of respect and esteem in which he was held by all who
knew him.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 221

GENERAL JOHN S. CLARK

Along certain lines of research work, as well as in his
profession, Gen. John S. Clark attained much note and
therefore the recognition of the most eminent scholars
and authorities in the line of Indian history and Indian
lore.

General Clark was born in the town of Mentz, Cayuga
County, November 3, 1823. He prepared for the work
of engineer and surveyor and became one or the most
proficient and reliable surveyors in the state. Clark's
maps and drawings are now regarded as authoritive and
reliable. He had a long and successful career in this line,
during which time he was frequently employed as adviser
and expert on important engineering and surveying
propositions.

It was not alone in his professional work, however,
that General Clark became distinguished. He was a
profound historian and his research work along the lines
of Indian tradition and the early Jesuit Missions was
exhaustive and thorough. He was a painstaking student
in the work he essayed. His exhibit of Indian relics,
curios and rare bits of history formed a collection of great
value. At his death they were purchased by Willard E.
Case, Esq., and presented to the Auburn Theological
Seminary.

In 1861 Mr. Clark joined the Nineteenth Regiment
as Colonel and went into service soon after. He saw
much hard fighting and at one time was reported killed.
He was afterwards assigned to a place on the staffs of
General McClellan, General Banks and General Pope.

222 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Upon his return to Auburn, General Clark resumed his
professional work and continued it until a short time
before his death, which occurred April 7, 1912. In 1904
he was awarded the Cornplanter medal for his Indian
research. General Clark was also a valued member of
the Cayuga County Historical Society.

COLONEL JESSE SEGOINE

Colonel Segoine, from early boyhood, was imbued with
a military spirit. While he was yet a boy he joined a
military organization in New York City and from that
time nearly to the time of his death he was actively identi-
fied with military affairs. He was born January 6, 1804,
and moved to Auburn in 1836. He was a cabinet maker
and furniture manufacturer. His company. Parsons,
Hewson & Company, were contractors in the prison and
were extensive manufacturers. The firm afterwards
became Parsons, Hewson & Segoine.

In 1840 Colonel Segoine organized the Auburn Guards,
being commissioned captain of the organization by
Governor Seward. In 1853 he was commissioned by
Governor Seymour brigadier general of the militia. In
1857 Colonel Segoine went to Michigan to assume charge
of the furniture manufacturing plant and while there
continued his activity in the Michigan militia. While
there he was commissioned major general of the militia.
He returned to Auburn a little time prior to the breaking
out of the Civil War and at once threw his efforts into the
raising of the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment.
He was chosen Colonel of the Regiment, and went to the

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 223

front with the spirit of his younger days. Age and ill
health, however, soon forced him to retire, greatly to his
regret. Colonel Segione died in Auburn, August 15, 1895,
being then a man of exceedingly great age.

COLONEL CHARLES H, STEWART

Colonel Charles Hoffman Stewart was a native of
Geneseo, N. Y. where he was born October 27, 1828.
When he was a young boy his parents moved to Scipio,
where Charles H. was educated in the Quaker school.
In 1849 he went to California, being one of the stock-
holders in the vessel, known as the Belvidere, which it
was claimed promised a fortune for all interested. After
being present to witness the failure and the consequent
loss of his investment, Mr. Stewart returned to Auburn.
Subsequently he was engaged in various lines of business in
the city until 1861. He enlisted in the Nineteenth
Regiment New York Volunteers and was commissioned
Captain of Company G. In a few months, however, he
was promoted to the Colonelcy and rendered valuable
service during the war until its close.

Upon his return to Auburn Colonel Stewart engaged in
the crockery business and continued as a merchant until
his death, May 19, 1874.

GENERAL JOHN N. KNAPP

Although General John N. Knapp was not an active
participant in the War of the Rebellion, he was directly
connected officially with the movement of affairs and
was also active in raising troops in his congressional

224 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

district. He was appointed a member of the war com-
mittee, whose office was the securing of recruits for
service in the war. In 1863 he was appointed provost
marshal and as such official rendered valuable service
to the Government.

Prior to and subsequent to the Civil War, General
Knapp was active in politics and occupied many im-
portant posts in his party's affairs and in the Government.

General Knapp was born in the town of Victory, Cayuga
County, November 8, 1826. In 1844 he was one of three
selected from his county by the Board of Supervisors
for free education at the Albany State Normal School.
He, after graduating, engaged in the study of the law
but soon was appointed to a position in the United States
Treasury under the Honorable James Gutherie of Ken-
tucky, who was then secretary. He accepted the position
and soon thereafter was promoted to the position of
special agent.

Mr. Knapp, in 1856, was admitted to the bar and at
once took a prominent place in his profession and in
public affairs. In 1860 he was a delegate to the Demo-
cratic National Convention at Charleston, South Caro-
lina. Up to the beginning of the war, Mr. Knapp was a
Democrat in politics, but like many others at that time,
he became a Republican, and from that time on he was
an active and conspicuous member of the party, was for
many years a member of the Republican State Committee
and served both as its chairman and treasurer.

He served on the staff of Governor John A. Dix with
the rank of brigadier general. In 1890 General Knapp

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 225

was appointed by President Harrison to be Postmaster
of Auburn. He resigned before the expiration of his
term, however, to accept the collectorship of internal
revenue. He occupied this office until his death, which
occurred December 9, 1893.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HENRY M. STONE

Lieutenant Stone was one of the first to enlist at the
call for volunteers. He was a member of the Third
New York Artillery and was a newspaper man of recog-
nized ability and influence in the community. He was at
different times editor of the Patriot, the Tocsin and the
Auburn Democrat. He was a man of splendid qualities,
and having the highest regard of those who knew him
best.

A HOME INCIDENT OF THE CIVIL WAR

During the latter part of the war many different places
in the country were made the headquarters of what was
called the Invalid Corps, This was composed of men
disabled by one cause or another from actual field duty,
and so were stationed in certain locations to convalesce
and meanwhile to do guard and patrol duty. A part
of duty of these regular troops was to look after newly
enlisted men and see that they went and returned within
the limitation of their passes. They sometimes remained
away from the barracks beyond the time allotted and
sometimes they refused to return when ordered to do so.
One night nearly fifty of these rebellious soldiers became
involved with the guards at the corner of North and

226 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Genesee streets. After a hand to hand struggle which
lasted some time, the regulars were ordered to shoot, with
the result that several were shot. It created a panic in
town for a short time, and in spite of the danger to citizens
upon the streets it had a wholesome and lasting effect.

CIVIL WAR GENERALS BURIED IN FORT HILL

There are several Civil War Generals buried in Fort
Hill Cemetery who have not been mentioned in this
chapter.

Major General Emery Upton was born August 27,
1839, and died March 15, 1881. He married Miss Emily
Martin, daughter of Throop Martin of Willowbrook,
Owasco lake.

General Andrew J. Alexander was born November 21,
1833, and died May 21, 1887. He married Miss Evalina
Martin another daughter of Throop Martin.

General Miles W. Keough was killed in Custer's Raid
and was brought to Auburn by friends and buried in Fort
Hill.

Colonel Hugh M. McNiel a resident of Auburn, was
killed in the battle of Antietam and is also buried in Fort
Hill.

CHAPTER X

HISTORICAL EVENTS — BIOGRAPHIES — INSTITUTIONS

^^^"^'^^JiHE Pullman sleeping car, which now has a
world-wide reputation, had its conception
in the mind of a man who was born in
Auburn and it was afterwards developed,
perfected and manufactured by him, on
account of which he became a conspicuous figure in the
world of progress and industry.

George M. Pullman was born on Owasco street, where
his parents, Albert and Emily Minton Pullman, were then
living. While George M. was still a small lad the family
moved to Westfield, N. Y., where the son grew to maturity.
He, in the late sixties, began making the car in a small
way and later established Pullman, 111., which is the home
of the industry. Pullman's mother once visited Auburn,
making the trip in the first Pullman car that was made.
Rear Admiral John P. Merrill also was born in Auburn.
His parents were residents on Franklin street. The
father died when John P. was a young boy and the mother
taking the boy went to Michigan to reside. Later John
P. Merrill entered the Annapolis Naval Academy, becom-
ing finally a Rear Admiral, and served with marked credit.

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS

In the matter of statesmen and representatives in the
halls of legislation, Auburn has contributed an unusually

228 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

large number, some of whom have attained signal dis-
tinction.

The first representative in Congress from Auburn was
Enos T. Throop, elected in 1814. He was followed by
Nathaniel Garrow, who was elected in 1826. Gershom
Powers succeeded Mr. Garrow at the close of his term
in 1828. Ulysses F. Doubleday was elected in 1830 and
re-elected in 1832. Christopher Morgan was elected first
in 1838 and reelected in 1840, thus serving two terms also.
George Rathbun was elected to the ofiice in 1842 and
succeeded himself in 1844. Thomas Y. How, Jr., was
elected in 1850 and retired at the end of his term of two
years. Theodore M. Pomeroy had the second longest
career in point of service. He was elected first in 1860
and continued through four terms, or eight years. In 1872
General Clinton D. MacDougall was elected and re-
elected in 1874. In 1882 Sereno E. Payne was elected,
and with the exception of one term meanwhile, has been
a member of the House continuously since.

As a further meed of honor. Auburn has furnished two
governors of the state, that is, Enos T. Throop and Wil-
liam H. Seward. Added to these it has furnished an
Ambassador to Spain — Honorable William Miller Collier.

The Civil War ended in midsummer of 1865 and this
relaxed the tension and restored in great measure the
equilibrium of business. Auburn had forged ahead
meanwhile, in fact, Auburn's numerical growth and com-
mercial expansion from 1860 to 1872 was very marked.
New railroads had been built into and through the town
and many strong industries and business concerns had

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 22d

been established. Among them was the Merchants
Union Express Company.

MERCHANTS UNION EXPRESS COMPANY

Auburn in 1866 was the home and central radiating
point of an express company with twenty million dollars
capital. It was a gigantic project to launch in face of the
existing conditions, when every treasury had been drained
in prosecuting the long war.

The idea was conceived and the company organized
by Elmore P. Ross, William H. Seward, Jr., William C.
Beardsley, John N. Knapp and Elliot G. Storke. A
company was organized with Elmore P. Ross, president;
William H. Seward, Jr., vice-president; John N. Knapp,
secretary, and William C. Beardsley, treasurer. The
established express companies then were, the American,
the United States, and the Adams, yet, the new enter-
prise met with general favor throughout the country, the
Company beginning business in the fall of 1866.

This was a challenge to the established companies and
they met it with a war in rates. As a matter of necessity
the Merchants Union followed them until the railroads
were swamped with goods in shipment. The railroads
advanced their carrying rates three or four hundred per
cent, which threatened disaster to the express companies.
This warfare continued for two years or more, the new
company in the meanwhile, having expended about five
millions of dollars in maintaining its position. Finally a
compromise was effected by which the Merchants Union
was consolidated with the American Express Company,

230 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

the name then becoming the American Merchants Union.
Later the American returned to its former title. This,
however, ended the express company war, also the Mer-
chants Union.

The Cayuga County Historical Society is now thirty-
seven years old, having been organized in 1876. The
society was promoted and founded through the ejfforts of
Rev. Dr. Charles Hawley. It was incorporated February
18, 1877. Hon. Theodore M. Pomeroy was chosen as the
first president. Dr. Hawley acted as its president for
many years. The society through the years has accumu-
lated a large amount of historical matter and with proper
means of ready access it would be to the community a
valuable institution.

HON. WILLIAM H. SEWARD

The story of the life and career of the Honorable William
H. Seward has been so exhaustively written and is there-
fore so familiar to all Americans and most of the readers
in other countries that no attempt can with propriety be
made here to take up the subject in detail. His place in
history is assured for all time; and his place in the hearts
and memory of the citizens of his home town is no less
secure. He had their respect, love and honor while he
lived among them, and when he died, the affection deep-
ened into profound reverence for the man and his memory;
and this is after all the most becoming crown to greatness.

Mr. Seward was born in Florida, Orange County, N. Y.,
May 16, 1801. His father. Dr. Samuel S. Seward, was a
practicing physician and took special pains to give his

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HON. WILLIAM H. SEWARD

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 231

son every advantage in regard to education that was
available in those days. The father was himself a man
of education and William H. Seward received the training
and discipline not only of a professional but a well balanced
business man and man of affairs. This was supplemented
with a course at Union College, from which he graduated
three years later. Mr. Seward read law in New York
City and at Goshen, N. Y., the county seat of his native
county. Upon being admitted to practice in IBS'? he
soon moved to Auburn and entered into partnership with
Hon. Elijah Miller, who was then County Judge. Mr.
Seward's rise to position and fame was rapid and sure.
All this is a matter of historical record. He early took an
active part in the building and making of Auburn. He
was progressive and constructive. He was the friend
and helper of the poor man seeking to own a home. He
opened new tracts of land, erected houses and expanded
the inhabited section of the village and city. Mr. Seward
married Miss Frances A. Miller, the daughter of his
partner, Judge Miller. From 1850 to the time of his
death, October 10, 1872, he was one of the conspicuous
figures of the world. The monument erected in Seward
Park mutely speaks the regard in which he was held by
his fellow townsmen.

CYRENUS WHEELER, JR.

As a public benefactor Cyrenus Wheeler, Jr., will have
a place in the annals of history and in the story of prog-
ress and achievement of the future. His prime benefac-
tions constituted the many inventions he produced to

232 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

broaden the scope of mechanics and build up the world
of industry.

Mr. Wheeler's training school was the farm where he
labored with all the disadvantages that were a part of the
farmer's life in early times. He possessed the mechanical
genius and his experience on the farm developed it and
enabled him to turn it to account for the industrial better-
ment of the agricultural masses.

Mr. Wheeler was born in Michigan, March 17, 1817.
The family originally was of English stock who settled
in Boston in the seventeenth century. His mother,
Thirza Evans Wheeler, was a native of Berkley, Mass.
They migrated to Michigan and it was there that Cyrenus,
Jr., was born. In 1835, the family moved to Cayuga
County and settled on a farm at Poplar Ridge. They
were industrious and successful farmers, to which the
genius and study of Cyrenus contributed no little part.
While he worked the farm he was mentally active in
devising ways and methods for facilitating and rendering
easier the farm labor. He early began making labor-
saving machinery, such as seed planters, horse pitchforks,
feed cutters and other devices to aid in the farm work.

In 1852 Mr. Wheeler brought out a machine for mow-
ing grass and harvesting grain. It was first tried out at
Poplar Ridge. It proved to be a success and by the next
year Mr. Wheeler had added many improvements. The
following year he began the manufacture of the machine.
By this time he had secured forty-four patents on machines
and improvements connected therewith. He sacrificed
his farm crops to test the workability of his machines.

CYRENUS WHEELER, JR.

li .)i V.' "- ,

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 233

So he went on perfecting his machines, contesting in the
courts the many suits that were brought to deprive him
of the fruits of his labor. Today the harvesting machines
represent the work of his mechanical genius. He was the
pioneer in the business.

The business in 1858 was moved to Auburn and the
Cayuga Chief Manufacturing Company was organized
to turn out the various machines invented by Mr. Wheeler.
A great busines was developed, the Wheeler machines
having wide prestige and the name of Wheeler was known
throughout the country. In 1874 the Cayuga Chief
manufacturing plant was consolidated with the Osborne
Company. Mr. Wheeler in 1881 retired from active
business. He was honored with the office of Justice of
the Peace and member of the Board of Supervisors while
living in the town of Venice. In 1881 he was elected
Mayor of Auburn on the Republican ticket and was re-
elected three times.

Mr. Wheeler was a man of strong character with many
attractive qualities. He was popular among all classes
and honored by everybody who knew him. The Wheeler
Rifles were named in his honor and he had much pride
in the organization.

Mr. Wheeler was three times married. His first wife
was Harriet Trumball, a native of Cayuga County; his
second wife was Susan Tracy of Bethany, Genesee County,
N. Y., and his third wife was Jane Barker of Venice. They
had two sons and two daughters the latter being now
residents of Auburn. Mr. Wheeler died March 25, 1899.

234 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

DAVID M. OSBORNE

David M. Osborne, the founder of Auburn's greatest
industry, was born at Rife, Connecticut, December 15,
1822. He was the son of John and CaroHne Bulkley
Osborne.

David M. Osborne had very Httle school education, but
he had instead a thorough training in the school of experi-
ence. In this he was a good student and made the knowl-
edge thus acquired count in his future life work. At
the age of fifteen he left the home farm and took a position
in a store in New York City, where much of the ground-
work of his life success was gained. Two years later
he became a clerk in a wholesale hardware store in New
York, and it was during bis service there that Mr. Osborne
made the acquaintance of John L. Watrous of the firm of
Watrous & Hyde, hardware merchants in Auburn. This
acquaintance continued until 1848 when upon the death
of Mr. Hyde, of Watrous & Hyde, Mr. Osborne became
the partner of John L. Watrous in the hardware business
in Auburn.

With some changes in the partnerships, this business
went on until the early fifties when Mr. Osborne erected
a small building at the corner of Genesee and the present
Osborne street and began in a small way the manufacture
of straw-cutters and corn-shellers. This building is now
a part of the great International Harvester Company.

Although the industry was very small then, the capital
was equally small, and sometimes the weekly payroll
of a few dollars in part went over on account of a shortage
of fimds. In February, 1854, the payroll was $74.14,

HARMON J. WOODRUFF, ESQ.

- -:r ]

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 235

yet Mr. Osborne lived to see the payroll reach the sum of
fifty thousand dollars.

For a while Mr. Osborne abandoned the undertaking
in Auburn and went to Buffalo with the hope of greater
success. There he met Mr. William Kirby, who had
patented a combined reaper and mower. Mr. Osborne
purchased an interest in the firm that was making this
machine and the following year the machine was brought
out and tested in Cayuga County. In the fall of 1858
Mr. Osborne returned to Auburn and formed a company
to carry on the manufacturing business. Cyrus C.
Dennis and Charles P. Wood joined him as partners under
the firm name of D. M. Osborne & Company and from
that it expanded into the mammoth plant of today.
The Osborne machines have a market throughout the
world and the primary success of the industry was due
to D. M. Osborne's wisdom, courage and tireless energy.
In 1903 the plant became a part of the International
Harvester Company.

In 1851 Mr. Osborne married Eliza Wright, daughter
of David and Martha Coffin Wright, of Auburn. They
had three daughters and one son. Emily married Mr.
Frederick Harris, of Springfield, Mass.; Helen married
James Jackson Storrow, of Boston, Mass.; Florence died
in 1877. Thomas Mott Osborne, the son, is a resident of
Auburn.

Mr. David M, Osborne was one of the foremost citizens
of Auburn. The industry that he established was the
chief element and force in the building up of the city,
and as the business grew and prospered Mr. Osborne gave

236 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

liberal aid and support to many other institutions and
causes. His place in the world of business was won by
industry, energy and honesty, while his standing as a
citizen was due not alone to these but to his many splendid
qualities as a man and friend. He died July 6, 1886.

Mrs. Osborne was also a factor and influence in good
works. She gave generously to the uplift and betterment
work of the city, and, moreover, devoted much time and
thought to helping others. She died in 1911, leaving the
whole community to mourn her loss.

HARMON WOODRUFF, ESQ.

Harmon Woodruff, one of the early time substantial
merchants of Auburn, was born at New Marlborough,
Berkshire County, Mass., September 12, 1807. When
he was a boy of six his parents moved to Towanda, Pa.,
where they resided a short time and then settled at
Spencer, Tioga County, N. Y. Here he attended school
and lived until he became twenty-one years of age. He
then engaged as clerk in a drug store at Ithaca and re-
mained there three years and from Ithaca he went to
Cohocton, Steuben County, N. Y., and started as a mer-
chant on his own account. While at Cohocton, Mr.
Woodruff married, September 6, 1832, Miss Jane H.
Cook of that place. He continued in business there until
January, 1834, at which time he moved to Auburn and
entered into partnership with George S. Murphy and
later had as a partner G. V. Orton. Upon the dissolution
of this latter partnership, Mr. W'oodruff carried on the
business alone and for nearly a half century he was one

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 237

of the most prominent and prosperous merchants in
Auburn. He was a man of great energy, good business
abihty and the strictest honor and integrity. During
all this time Mr. Woodruff was actively identified with
the prominent institutions and enterprises that con-
tributed to the town's prosperity. He was for many
years one of the valued directors of the Bank of Auburn,
a part of the time serving as vice-president. He was
also in the early days one of the promoters of plank roads,
before the steam roads came into use. When the old
Southern Central Railroad was projected, Mr. Woodruff
was one of the active leaders in securing right of way
and in the construction of the road, and was a director
in the company. He was one of the projectors also of the
Auburn Water Works Company and also a director.

While residing at Spencer, Mr. Woodruff became a
member of the Congregational Church and upon settling
in Auburn he identified himself with the First Presby-
terian Church, and was a member up to the time of his
death, November 1, 1885. In 1846 he was chosen a
trustee of the church and served with great earnestness
and fidelity for thirty -five years. He was also one of the
building committee when the present church was erected
and rendered valuable service by giving personal attention
to the construction from the start to the finish. In 1853
he was elected a ruling elder and was reelected successively
ten times.

There were five sons and one daughter born to Mr. and
Mrs. Woodruff, namely, E. Delevan, Paul C, J. Hermon,
James H. and Henry C; the daughter becoming the wife
of Henry D. Titus, Esq.

238 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

LAURENS J. STORKE

Laurens J. Storke began his career in Auburn as a news-
paper man. In 1870 he was connected with the Auburn
Bulletin and when the Morning News was started he be-
came one of its editors. Through this newspaper con-
nection Mr. Storke made many acquaintances among
prominent men, which also brought him into the pubUc
eye in pohtics. He was a Democrat and was then more
or less active in the party's interest. In 1888 Mr. Storke
was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention
lield in St. Louis. President Cleveland during his second
term appointed him postmaster of Auburn, and at one
time he was a candidate for the mayorality.

It was in the telephone business, however, that Mr.
Storke was best known. His connection with the tele-
phone department of the Western Union began in 1879
when he was assistant manager of this and the Gold and
Stock Telephone Company with headquarters in New
York. In 1880 he became actively identified with the
Bell Telephone Company and in company with Thomas
B. Doolittle adjusted many differences growing out of
the consolidations that took place that year. He was
also interested in the telephone company of Missouri
and others in South America. He was one of the organizers
of the Central New York Telephone Company and was
its vice-president for many years. Mr. Storke was born
in Sennett. He died January 26, 1912.

FRANKLIN L. GRISWOLD

Franklin L. Griswold, merchant, was born in Troy,
N. Y. in 1816. When a boy of sixteen he located in

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 239

Auburn and attended school for a period of time. He
then became clerk in the Bank of Auburn and a little
later was made teller. In 1838 Mr. Griswold resigned his
position in the bank and founded the clothing store which
is still carried on larger and more prosperously than in the
early years, the firm name having changed merely to
Mosher, Griswold & Co. Mr. Griswold began business
in a store on Genesee street east of North street, but in
1844 moved to 89 Genesee street, the present quarters
with the exception that another store has been added.
He was a good merchant and a pioneer in the one price
system. Mr. Griswold had many partners during his
business career, the partners at the time of his death,
December 26, 1879, being J. L. Barker, Frank K. Griswold
and Charles P. Mosher. The firm then became Barker,
Griswold & Co. and so continued until 1905.

Mr. Griswold was a man of sterling character and a
citizen whom everybody honored and respected. Mr.
Griswold married Miss Laura H. Lansing, daughter of
the Rev. Dr. Dirck C. Lansing of the First Presbyterian
Church, of which Mr. Griswold was for many years an
elder. His deeds of kindness and helpfulness were many.

JUSTIN L. BARKER

Justin L. Barker was a son of Timothy and Martha
Leonard Griswold Barker and was born at Stony Creek,
Conn., August 13, 1832. He located in Auburn in 1849
and engaged as clerk in the store of F. L. Griswold & Co.,
and later was a partner in the business. He became a man
of prominence and value in the community. Mr, Barker

240 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

was keenly interested in military affairs and rendered
substantial aid to the various organizations from time to
time. He was also one of the promoters of the Cayuga
County Savings Bank and served as one of its trustees.
He died November 10, 1904.

MICHAEL S. MYERS

Michael S. Myers was born at Waterford, Saratoga
County, N. Y. April 15, 1801. He was educated in his
native town and read law there. In 1817 he entered the
law office of Lockwood & Throop in Auburn and was
admitted to the bar in 1825. Soon thereafter he moved
to Aurora and practiced there with Hon. Glen Cuyler
until 1828, at which time he was elected County Clerk
by reason of which he returned to Auburn. He served
nine years as clerk and later three years as district at-
torney. In 1844 Mr. Myers was appointed inspector of
prisons and in 1849 was appointed postmaster of Auburn.
He held many important offices and was an active figure
in public affairs. He died in Auburn in 1884.

ELMORE P. ROSS, ESQ.

Elmore P. Ross was probably one of the most versatile
and resourceful men that ever engaged in business in
Auburn. In fact his business connections and under-
takings were so varied and many of them so extensive
that none but a man of remarkable courage and foresight
could have discerned anything like success often times.

Mr. Ross was born at Dover, Duchess County, N. Y.,
May 18, 1809, and with his parents moved to Port Byron
in 1811, his father being a surveyor and school teacher.

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 241

He lived in Port Byron until 1848 being engaged as clerk
and later as merchant. He was a keen business man with
the ability to make friends and hold them. This charac-
terized him throughout his life both in business and in
politics.

At the time of moving to Auburn in 1848, Mr. Ross
had a contract in the prisons at Auburn, Sing Sing and
Kingston, Canada, which were very profitable. He was
one of the chief promoters of the Southern Central Rail-
road and later served as its president. He was one of
the organizers and president of the Merchants Union
Express Company, president of the First National Bank
of Auburn and a director in the Cayuga County National
Bank. These are a few of his many business connections;
in politics his activities were no less marked.

Mr. Ross was a Democrat in politics in which he was
persistent as he was in his business enterprises. He never
sought office for himself but derived pleasure from helping
his friends. He was wholly unselfish, frank and always
honest. He valued friendship above personal benefits.

Mr. Ross was at various times tendered almost every
office within the gift of his party. He did, however,
accept the postmastership of Auburn under President
James Buchanan. Mr. Ross married Miss Caroline, a
daughter of Ethan Akin, of Port Byron. They had two
sons and one daughter. Mr. Ross died May 19, 1879.

WILLIAM C. BEARDSLEY

Mr. William C. Beardsley was born at Stewarts Corners,
Cayuga County, March 27, 1816. He received his educa-

242 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

tion at the Aurora Academy and the academy at Homer,
N. Y. Subsequently he read law in the office of Nelson
Beardsley, his brother, and after being admitted to prac-
tice he was appointed master in chancery, a position he
held for several years.

Mr. Beardsley's inclinations, however, were more in the
direction of business than law and his abilities were there-
fore devoted to many enterprises. He was cashier and
president of the Auburn Exchange Bank, one of the
original stockholders of the Cayuga County National
Bank, treasurer of the old Merchants Union Express
Compan3^ a director in the Grand Trunk railroad, one
of the first trustees of Fort Hill Cemetery Association
and trustee of the Auburn Savings Bank up to the time
of his death. He also served as postmaster, 1841-45, and
in 1852 was presidential elector. He died January 25,
1900.

SYLVESTER WILLARD, M.D.

For nearly half a century Dr. Sylvester Willard was
more than ordinarily prominent in the life and affairs of
Auburn. He was known by nearly every citizen and
had their respect and honor.

Dr. Willard was born at Saybrook, Conn., December
24, 1798, where he spent his early boyhood. He was
educated at the New Canaan Academy and later graduated
from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York
City. He practiced his profession in his native state
until 1840, at which time he removed to Chicago and
there engaged in professional work. While in Connecti-

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 243

cut he married, in 1830, Miss Jane Frances Case, daughter
of Erastus Case, who also located in Chicago in 1840.
Dr. Willard was accounted a good physician, although
the later years of his life were devoted to other activities.
He possessed a genial manner and a kindly spirit that
made many warm friends and commanded the highest
regard of those who were merely acquaintances. His
time, energy and means were given liberally in support
of all movements for good, while he was interested in
many business enterprises and business institutions.
Dr. Willard was one of the organizers of the Oswego
Starch Factory in 1848 and served as its president until
his death. He was officially identified with banks and
manufacturing industries.

Dr. Willard was the first physician at the Cayuga
County Asylum for the poor, a trustee of the Young
Ladies Institute and of the Elmira Female College. He
was devoted to the church and its advancement in Christian
work. His substance was generously given to the First
Presbyterian Church. He contributed a good part of
the funds for the building of the present church edifice
and was no less liberal to the Auburn Theological Semi-
nary. When Dr. Willard died in 1886 the whole com-
munity mourned the loss. He left two daughters,
however, who continued the stream of charity and wel-
fare work. Only one of these. Miss Caroline, is now
living.

244 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

INSTITUTIONS

BUSINESS MEN S ASSOCIATION

One of the organizations of the city that has some real
creative and conserving force is the xA:uburn Business
Men's Association, the membership of which includes
the pubhc spirited merchants, manufacturers and pro-
fessional men of Auburn. It was organized in 1893, and
incorporated in 1898. It is located in the Auburn Savings
Bank Building, with a commodious suite of offices.

The objects for which the Association was formed are
for the financial, commercial and general prosperity of
Auburn and Cayuga County; to foster all means of
social intercourse and oppose anything intended to
deceive or defraud its members or the public at large;
to improve, protect and promote the rights and interests
of trade; to increase and advance the industries of the
city; to contribute with its influence and funds toward
securing legislation and laws of more satisfactory nature
in the interests of business men; to strenuously oppose
legislation inimical to their interests, to advocate by
precept and example the patronizing of home merchants
and industries; and to disseminate useful information.

The organization, through its efficient officers and
various committees has been a force for carrying out the
objects for which they stand, and for advertising the city
through its numerous publications and writeups. The
high character of the men chosen on its Board of Directors
is an index to the whole organization. In addition to
securing and assisting financially industries locating in

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 245

Auburn, many important legislative matters both State
and National, as well as local, receive their careful atten-
tion and support. They co-operate in securing and
entertaining large conventions, and create and assist in
beneficial celebrations.

The industrial exhibit held at the opening of the mam-
moth new freight house of the New York Central Railroad
Company in October, 1905, was pronounced worthy of
cities much larger than Auburn. Many features of
business life undertaken by Chambers of Commerce or
similar organizations in larger cities than Auburn when
found practical are successfully put into operation by the
Auburn Business Men's Association. There is main-
tained in the oflSces an exceedingly efficient Merchants
Reporting Exchange conducted in such a satisfactory
manner as to be of inestimable value to merchants and
professional men of the city. The Associated Charieties,
an efficient organization, has its offices in the Business
Men's rooms.

The Auburn Business Men's Association has made
and maintains a record for service of such a substantial
quality that it has become the forum from which many
of the best features of city life originate and are brought
to a successful termination for the betterment of Auburn
and the community.

HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS

The Home for the Friendless, or The Home, as it is
more commonly known, was started in 1864 and was
incorporated in 1865. The original plan of the institution
was to care for the widows and children of soldiers. This

246 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

was adhered to for a time but as the needs for such an
institution grew less urgent, its scope changed so that it
became exclusively an old ladies' home.

The Home is pleasantly situated on Grant avenue, has
a handsome building well equipped and efficiently con-
ducted. It furnishes cheerful, bright homes to thirty -five
inmates, who enjoy most of the comforts of a private
home. The capacity of the institution, however, has
become wholly inadequate to care for the list of applicants.
It has some endowment but not sufficient to make it
self-sustaining.

THE ASYLUM FOR DESTITUTE CHILDREN

The Cayuga County Asylum for Destitute Children
was organized in 1852. It has now been in operation
more than sixty years, during which time it has done a
most commendable work in caring for destitute children.
Many of the most zealous and charitable women of the
city have devoted much time and thought to the building
up and betterment of the institution. It now occupies
a very comfortable building in Owasco street and is in
the hands of a careful and well organized board of mana-
gers.

THE woman's union

The Auburn Woman's Union was founded in 1882
largely through the efforts, influence and financial back-
ing of Mrs. D. M. Osborne. Her time and money were
devoted to the project and she lived to help in the making
and building of one of the handsomest and most adequately
equipped institutions of its kind in any city of the union.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 247

Many other ladies of Auburn also have rendered valu-
able aid in making the Union and carrying on the work
to which it is devoted. The building is an imposing
structure occupying a central location on South street,
next the Seward residence. Mrs. Osborne, at her death,
left an endowment which in great measure cares for the
cost of maintenance. She also purchased the present
site and erected the commodious building. It contains
large dining rooms and many rooms for young women
seeking a home surrounded with wholesome and beneficial
influence.

THE TUBMAN HOME

The chief interest centering in the Tubman Home is
that of the woman who founded it and whose name it
bears. Although a colored woman, she was a remark-
able character. She had a constant struggle to have a
home herself during her long and eventful life, and finally
died in May, 1913, in the home which she had founded for
colored people.

Harriet Tubman Davis was born and served as a slave
for many years of her life, but escaped from bondage
before the Civil War and through her efforts many other
slaves were rescued from a life of thraldom. The Tubman
home is situated on South street, in an unpretentious
brick building, yet it supplies a home for several aged
colored people.

AUBURN CITY HOSPITAL

The Auburn City Hospital came into existence mainly
through the beneficence of that philanthropist, James S.
Seymour. At his death he left a bequest for that purpose

248 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

and in July, 1878, incorporation papers for the hospital
were secured and the following were chosen as the first
board of Trustees: D. M. Osborne, Rufus Sargent,
Charles P. Wood, Harmon Woodruff, Silas L. Bradley,
Byron C. Smith, William G. Wise, James R. Cox, James
Seymour, Jr., William H. Seward, and Charles Standart.
The institution was formally opened for patients on
April 20, 1880. A board of lady managers was also a part
of the governing body. The hospital is beautifully
situated on east hill, the buildings fronting on Lansing
street. The hospital now includes one large main building
and two adjoining buildings. It is well equipped, eflS-
■ciently conducted, thus constituting one of the most useful
institutions of the city.

YOUNG men's christian ASSOCIATION

The Auburn Young Men's Christian Association was
organized in 1859 and the present building on Genesee
street was erected in 1884. The Association has become a
strong and efficiently conducted society in good works,

SUNNYCREST HOSPITAL

Another city institution of great value is that of the
Sunnycrest Hospital or tuberculosis sanitarium which was
established in 1911. It occupies a commodious building
on Prospect street and has already treated many patients.

STATE ARMORY

The State Armory is a large and imposing stone building
fronting on State street, was erected in 1882. It is the
home of the Wheeler Rifles.

CHAPTER XI

MUSIC, INDUSTRIES, THE MUNICIPALITY

USIC has a place along with other educating
and refining influences in a community and
some of the musicians who dispense the
music in one form or another often leave a
lasting impression on the minds of their
auditors. The church choirs frequently develop musical
talent of a high order.

The first church choir in Auburn was that at the First
Presbyterian church about 1820. In this choir were
Misses Mary and Caroline Burton, Miss Laura Cole, Miss
Margaret Lytic, Miss Maria Hardenburgh, Aaron Pittney,
Henry Porter, Abijah Fitch and William Brown. The
latter was the leader of the choir and Mr. Brown always
started the tune with a pitch pipe. But the choir con-
tained some beautiful voices and from that first choir
there was developed some good musicians, who later
attained note.

The first Auburn band was organized in December, 1825,
at Brown's Coffee House. It was made up mostly of
musical young men and Mr. Brown was the leader of the
aggregation. Citizens of the village contributed funds to
purchase the equipment, and the Auburn Band filled an
important place in the community for some time.

250 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Since the days of the first choir, the First Presbyterian
church has had in its choir many singers of rare talent.
Mrs. Stephen Y. Groot was a soprano in the choir for a
long time. She also sang in the Second church and Saint
Peters. Mrs. Fannie Benson Bennett, another soprano,
was a member of the First church choir. Mrs. Angeline
Rathbun Button, a contralto, sang in both the First and
the Second churches. Dr. Hudson was a tenor in the
Second church and had a high reputation as a singer.
Hudson Brothers formed a quartet and toured the country,
making a good name on account of their talent.

Mrs. William H. Meaker, formerly Miss Pomeroy,
Richard S. Holmes and William Holmes sang at the First,
Second and at St. Peter's. At the First Baptist church
there have been such singers as Mrs. Jennie Fleetwood
Brown, Miss Jennie Brown, Miss Mary Arnett, contralto,
George Green, tenor, Fidose Willi wick, a German of excep-
tional voice, Mrs. Jennie Slee Starr, contralto. Miss Minnie
Tifft, soprano, Frank Strong, bass, Lionel Lodge, tenor,
and Miss Groot who, it was said, possessed a voice like that
of Jenny Lind.

Mr. Chandler N. Thomas, in the early sixties, was
leader of the Central church choir. He had a remarkable
bass voice of wonderful power and sweetness. During his
leadership, the Central church developed mny fine voices
and had a choir of more than ordinary note. Mr. Thomas
was followed in the Central church by Mr. Abel Grosvenor
Hopkins. Dr. Hudson was also in the Central church
choir and Mr. H. V. Quick was bass singer at the same
time. Mr. G. W. Salisbury, another noted bass singer,

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 251

was a member of the Central choir in the seventies.
There have been many more in the past and there are
members of the local church choirs today that possess
unusual talent and by these public exhibitions, as far as
they can do so in the choir, aid in the education and refine-
ment of the community.

Probably the most eminent musician in his particular
line was Mr, Isaac Van Vleck Flagler. He was in the
highest class as an organist, was a composer of organ
music and a lecturer of recognized ability along these lines.

Mr. Flagler was born in Albany in 1842. He was educa-
ted in London under H. W. A. Beale, in Paris under
Eduard Batiste and in Dresden under Gustav Merkel. He
was at different times organist at Syracuse and Cornell
Universities and a lecturer at the Conservatory of Music in
Utica, N. Y. He composed five organ collections, several
pieces for the organ, piano and voice. Mr. Flagler was
selected to play the organ at the World's Fair in St. Louis.
In 1862 he married Miss Henrietta E. Cook of Auburn,
sister of Horace T. Cook, Esq. Mr. Flagler was for many
years organist at the First Presbyterian church. He was
also choirmaster at the First Presbyterian church in
Albany also of the Plymouth church Chicago. He died
in Auburn, March 16, 1909.

THE SEYMOUR LIBRARY

The Seymour Library was established in 1876 through
the efforts and beneficence of James S. Seymour, Esq.
The library was for many years quartered in the Auburn
Savings Bank building, but upon the completion of the

252 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Case Memorial library building, the library was moved to
the new building and is now beautifully housed. The
building was erected by Mr. Willard E. Case as a memorial
to his father, Theodore P. Case.

Mr. Seymour was an earnest worker for civic betterment
and along with his time and efforts he generously con-
tributed money to further the cause. At his death, Mr.
Seymour left a handsome endowment for the maintenance
of the institution he had founded. The library is now very
completely equipped in all departments, thus supplying a
valuable means of education.

In 1879 an amendment to the Auburn City charter was
secured which increased the number of wards from seven
to ten, as at present. The amendment also materially
changed the organization of the city government, authoriz-
ing new departments and enlarging the powers of city
officials.

The letter carrier system was adopted in Auburn in 1880.
Up to this time there was no uniformity in the matter of
street numbering, which fact caused much trouble and
confusion in the service. The Common Council, however,
at once adopted methods to relieve the difficulty by re-
numbering the residences of all the streets.

As previously mentioned, the Wheeler Rifles were
organized in 1880 also. The Forty -Ninth Regiment had
been disbanded in September of that year and the organiza-
tion of the new company took effect in December following.
The new company was known as Company M. Wheeler
Rifles. Gorton W. Allen was elected the first captain, W.
M. Kirby, first lieutenant, and Henry S. Dunning, second

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 253

lieutenant. Company M did service in the Spanish-
American War.

This time, too, marked the beginning of the street car
system in the city, which, as in all other cities, later was
electrified and modernized.

The stone block in which is the store number 103 Genesee
street was erected in 1835 by the William Bostwick estate
and the store adjoining on the west, number 105, was built
by Gen. John H. Chedell. Both of these now constitute
the dry goods store of the John W. Rice Company. Cap-
tain Fitch kept a jewelry store in number 105 in 1827 and
Gen. Chedell followed him that year. It has been a
jewelry store continuously since.

In the year 1884 the electric lighting system was adopted
and in December of that year the first electric light
illuminated the streets of Auburn.

General Grant in 1880 visited Auburn and delivered an
address in one of the D. M. Osborne Company buildings.
This was during the Garfield presidential campaign.
General Grant was tendered a most cordial reception by
the citizens. General W. S. Hancock was in Auburn at
one time and delivered a speech from the balcony of the
American Hotel. He was a guest at this time of General
Clinton D. MacDougall.

The year 1888 witnessed the dedication of the Seward
Monument in Seward Park. It was a noteworthy occasion
in Auburn. A large concourse of people gathered, many
coming from distant parts of the country to attend the
unveiling of the statue. Hon. William M. Everts delivered
the oration and other prominent men participated. At

254 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

this time General William H. Seward and his brother
donated a piece of land adjoining the park on the north,,
thus enlarging the park grounds to the present dimensions.

In 1881 Auburn had one colored policeman. His name
was George B. Lightfoot and he made a very faithful and
industrious official. His service, however, did not cover a
very long period of time.

In 1890 was begun the construction of the steel bridge on
Genesee street. This bridge is still intact.

In 1893 Auburn celebrated its one hundredth anniver-
sary. It was a notable demonstration in commemoration
of a century of wonderful progress and upbuilding. The
event was signalized by the advance that year from horse
power to electricity in propelling the street cars of the city.
The Old Home week in 1906 was another occasion of much
interest and activity. It afforded opportunity' to indicate
the enterprise and industrial growth and commercial
expansion of Auburn.

THE REV. BENONI I. IVES, D.D.

The death of the Rev. Dr. Benoni I. Ives, December 9,
1912, closed a remarkable career. For nearly seventy
years Dr. Ives had been before the public as a clergyman
and worker in the cause of Christianity and uplift work;
and during this period of time, which is almost unprece-
dented in life's activities, there never was a shadow on his
splendid character or a question as to his hearty sincerity
in the part he bore.

Dr. Ives was born on a farm in Tompkins County, N. Y.,
January 2, 1822. His parents migrated from Wyoming,

KEV. BENONI I. IVES, D.U.

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HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 255

Penn., and settled on a farm as above stated. They were
of New England descent but early moved westward.
Orin Ives, father of Dr. Ives, served in the War of 1812.
He was a soldier under General Winfield Scott and was in
the battle of Lundys Lane and others that took place in the
vicinity of Niagara Falls. He was one of the pioneers in
Tompkins County.

Dr. Ives' early boyhood schooling was obtained at a
country school near his home. The family, however,
moved to Michigan and the son, Benoni, was returned for
a course in the Macedon, N. Y. Academy. At the age of
twenty, or in 1842, he decided to enter the ministry, and
three years later he became a Methodist minister and was
ordained in 1847. His first charge was at Fleming, N. Y.,
and the second was at Stockbridge, Michigan. His zeal
and earnestness, coupled with his ability, soon won for him
a prominent place in the church. In 1854 he was called to
the pastorate of the First Methodist church in Auburn.
Here he did wonderful work in building up the church and
extending the missionary activities. During this period of
service, Dr. Ives established the Wall Street church and
aided in building up its membership.

In 1856 Dr. Ives was appointed Chaplain of the prison
and during eleven years service at that institution, he did
effective work among the prisoners. During this service
he also acted as pastor of the Wall Street church. In 1868
he was chosen presiding elder of the Auburn district, hav-
ing thirty-two churches in his jurisdiction. He served
four years with an unusual record of success. The various
churches were strengthened and the membership vastly
increased.

256 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

In view of his marked energy and good executive ability,
the Board of Bishops urged Dr. Ives to accept the position
created for him — that of organizer of new churches. He
accepted the place and from this time he was a national
figure in church work and church building. The labor was
agreeable to him and he possessed the courage and ability
to achieve success. Dr. Ives name was known throughout
the country. This continued through ten years, he a
greater part of the time traveling twenty-five thousand
miles each year. During his career Dr. Ives dedicated
more than two thousand churches, and was the main force
in raising many millions of dollars for their building and
for the discharge of mortgage indebtedness. He never was
averse to helping other denominations and, therefore, much
of his time and energy was given for their benefit.

During his later years. Dr. Ives was secretary of the
Conference and counselor in all important movements.
Dr. Ives was twice married. His first wife was Mary
Whitbeck of Fleming, by whom there was one son, Francis
B. Ives. For his second wife, Dr. Ives married Miss Julia
Hosmer, daughter of the Rev. William Hosmer, who was
for many years editor of the Northern Advocate. By this
union there were two children, one son, William Hosmer
Ives and one daughter, Julia Belle, who became Mrs.
Frank Messenger.

WILLIS JUDSON BEECHER, D.D.

Another very notable theologian, who had a long and
useful career, was Dr. Willis Judson Beecher. Dr.
Beecher's life work was along scholastic lines, literature and

REV. WILLIS JUDSON BEECHER, D.D.

;-' .'■■l'

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 257

research work. The work he did in his field of endeavor
was deep, scholarly and thorough. He attained world-
wide note and held a place among the eminent scholars of
the world. He was an influential teacher and a forceful,
logical writer. Had Dr. Beecher accomplished no more in
his life work than the books he wrote, he would have won
distinction. But these represent only a part of the labor
and thought of a busy life.

Dr. Beecher was born at Hampden, Ohio, April 29, 1838.
His parents were John Wyllys and Achsa Judson Beecher.
The family early moved to Oneida County, N. Y., and
Willis J. prepared for college at the Augusta Academy and
the Vernon Academy. In 1854 he entered Hamilton Col-
lege and graduated in 1858, being the valedictorian of his
class. Following his graduation Dr. Beecher taught for a
time at the Whitestown Seminary and then entered Auburn
Theological Seminary in 1864. During his seminary
course, he acted as pastor of the Presbyterian church at
Ovid, N. Y. A little later he became professor of moral
science and belles-lettres at Knox College, Galesburg, 111.
While there he also held the pastorate of a Presbyterian
church.

In 1871 Dr. Beecher was called from Galesburg to take
the professorship of the Hebrew language and literature
at the Auburn Theological Seminary. Here was the
beginning of his great work. Dr. Beecher was by nature
and inclination a student and the new position afforded
opportunity for study, thought and productive work.
He was an analyst, a serious, conscientious researcher, and
the religious world received benefit from his thought and

258 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

study. Besides smaller works and lectures, Dr. Beecher
produced several books of great importance. As early as
1874 he brought out "The Tompkins Farmer and his
Bibles," which had a wide sale and attracted much favor-
able comment. In 1905 another great work under the title
of "The Prophets and the Promise" was published and
this was followed in 1906 by "The Teachings of Jesus Con-
cerning the Future Life." In 1907 Dr. Beecher's last
great work came out, "Dates and Events of the Old Testa-
ment." There were few scholars in his field of research
who were regarded more profound, more logical or more
reliable in the thoughts and data presented. Dr. Beecher
was for nearly forty years a valuable member of the
Auburn Seminary faculty. His work there was earnest
and thorough. In 1875 Dr. Beecher's alma mater honored
him with the degree of Doctor of Divinity and in 1896
Princeton University conferred upon him the same
degree.

The esteem in which Dr. Beecher was held throughout
the land was no more marked or more sincere than the
regard for him in his home city. His heart was in every-
thing that made for a higher life and his sympathies went
out to all in distress. Dr. Beecher was one of the early
members of the Cayuga County Historical Society, of
which he was president for a long period of time. He was
a member of Central church and a teacher in the Sunday
schools and at the Y. M. C. A. His other connections
were: membership in the American Oriental Society, The
American Institute of Sacred Literature, and the Bible
League. He was also a trustee of Wells College.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 259

In 1865 Dr. Beecher married Miss Sara Maria Bolter of
Ovid, N. Y. She died several years before Dr. Beecher.
They had one daughter, Miss Elizabeth Beecher, now a
resident of Auburn. Dr. Beecher died May 10, 1912.

WILLIAM S. CHEESMAN, M.D.

William S. Cheesman, M.D., was born in Brooklyn,
February 10, 1853, and prepared for college at the Brooklyn
Polytechnic Institute, one of the best schools of the kind
in the country. He then entered Princeton University and
graduated in the class of 1875, being one of the honor
members of his class. After graduating. Dr. Cheesman
took the course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons,
New York City, and supplemented this with five years
service in Belle vue Hospital.

It may readily be seen, therefore, that Dr. Cheesman's
preparation for the life work he had chosen was thorough
and complete. His constitution was not strong, however,
while his ambition to work and achieve was almost without
limit. Thus he labored against a grievous hindrance, yet,
he made notable progress in his profession and gained a
reputation that was state wide. It was on account of his
somewhat delicate, physical condition that Dr. Cheesman
concluded in 1881 to leave New York and settle in Auburn,
where he believed the opportunities for building up were
possible. But his life was a busy one. He soon grew up a
large practice and his interest and sense of duty kept him
at his work, with little time to seek the benefits that he
needed. He was a leader in surgery and the intensity of
his care and interest in these cases added another strain.

260 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

As a physician, surgeon and friend, Dr. Cheesman won a
place in the community and in the state that will remain on
record during the years to come.

In 1882 Dr. Cheesman married Miss Mary, daughter of
Rev. Theodore Cuyler, of Brooklyn. She is still a resident
of Auburn.

Dr. Cheesman was honored by many societies and
organizations of the state and was a member of a large
number of societies. He was a member of the American
Medical Association, the Medical Society of New York
State, a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine
and one of the committee on Experimental Medicine.
He was also a member of the editorial staff of the New
York Medical Journal. Dr. Cheesman in 1890 went to
Berlin and Vienna, where he took special courses in
medicine and surgery.

As a citizen of Auburn, Dr. Cheesman had the confidence
and honor of everybody. He was interested in good works
and gave time and money to further the causes. At his
death, May 17, 1912, Dr. Cheesman bequeathed his
medical library to the Seymour Library, which is to be
placed in a special alcove and bear his name. He also left
bequests to the City Hospital and the Auburn Theological
Seminary.

HON. ADOLPHUS H. SEARING

Judge Searing was born in Scipio, Cayuga County,
August 25, 1856. His parents were Quakers and among
the early settlers in that part of the county. Adolphus H.
as a boy attended the Sherwood Academy and entered

WILLIAM S. CHEE.SMAN, M.D.

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Uts»v.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 261

Swarthmore College, from which he graduated in 1878.
He then taught school for a year and the following year
entered the law department of Michigan University,
graduating with honor in 1882.

At this time Mr. Searing settled in Auburn and became a
partner of the Hon. Horace V. Howland. This partner-
ship continued about two years, when Mr. Searing with-
drew and carried on his law work alone. He was bright
and ambitious, and by industry and close application he
soon attained high standing in the bar of the city and
county. In 1898 he was elected Special County Judge and
served with the greatest satisfaction until 1901. He was
that year nominated for County Judge on the Republican
ticket and elected by a handsome majority. As a jurist he
made an excellent reputation. He was conscientious,
impartial, yet wise in his renderings. In the higher courts
Judge Searing's opinions were well regarded, while among
the lawyers he was esteemed and honored.

Judge Searing during his residence in Auburn identified
himself with the First Presbyterian church and served as
one of its trustees. He was a member of Auburn Lodge
431, F. and A. M., and of Lodge474, B. P.O. Elks. He was
also interested in and director of several corporations. As
a citizen and companion there were few who were thought
of more highly. He died March 26, 1907.

ALONZO G. BEARDSLEY, ESQ.

Alonzo G. Beardsley, lawyer and business man for more
than half a century, was one of the active and potential
figures in the affairs of Auburn. Mr. Beardsley was born

262 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

in the town of Venice, July 11, 1820, and moved with his
parents to Auburn in 1836. He received his education in
Venice and Auburn. He read law with the Hon. John
Porter and after being admitted to practice formed a
copartnership with his preceptor and they carried on the
law business together until 1848. By this time Mr.
Beardsley's business connections had become so extensive
that he abandoned the law and devoted himself wholly to
the corporations and other enterprises in which he was
interested. He was one of the organizers of the Oswego
Starch Factory in 1848, and served as its secretary and
treasurer for fifty years. In 1858 he, in company with
C. S. Burtis and Franklin Sheldon, formed a company for
the manufacture of mowers and reapers. This later was
incorporated as the Cayuga Chief Manufacturing Com-
pany. The company did a prosperous business, but some
years later the plant was consolidated with the D. M.
Osborne Company, Mr. Beardsley at that time becoming
treasurer of the latter company.

Mr. Beardsley was also one of the projectors of the
Auburn Water Works Company and was one of the board
of directors for forty years. He was a director in the
Cayuga County National Bank and was actively interested
in other institutions. Mr. Beardsley was a liberal man
in matters of charity and in helpful works in the city. His
many admirable qualities won the esteem and good will of
the community. He died August 14, 1906.

JOHN H. OSBORNE, ESQ.

John H. Osborne was a son of John Hall and Caroline
Buckley Osborne of Westchester County, N. Y.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 263

Mr. Osborne was a man of very positive convictions
and never lacked the courage to voice them or follow them
up with action. In the slavery days, although a young
man, he was active in the anti-slavery movement. He
spent a considerable time in the southwestern states in the
interest of the cause. Throughout his life he was aggres-
sive and progressive.

In 1865 Mr. Osborne became identified with the D. M.
Osborne Company of Auburn and continued in this con-
nection until a few years before his death. He, however,
continued his activity in other things. He was a man of
the highest character, of generous impulses and did much
good in the community. He died August 16, 1911.

HON. JOHN PORTER

Hon. John Porter for more than half a century was one
of the foremost members of the Cayuga County Bar. He
was a native of Massachusetts and located in Auburn
about 1812. He at once assumed a commanding position
in his profession and in the community. In 1828 he was
elected surrogate and served eight years. As early as 1821
he was appointed district attorney and was in service
until the time he was made surrogate. In 1843 Mr. Porter
was elected to the state senate, serving three years. He
was a law partner of Nelson Beardsley and Plon. B. F. Hall.
He died in October, 1873.

HON. THEODORE M. POMEROY

Hon. Theodore M. Pomeroy, one of the distinguished
residents of Auburn, was born at Cayuga, N. Y., December

264 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

31, 1824. He was early sent to the Elbridge Institute,
wher" he prepared for college. He then entered Hamilton
college and graduated in 1842.

After graduating Mr. Pomeroy became a student in the
law office of William H. Seward in Auburn, and was
admitted and began practice in 1846. He was appointed
district attorney in 1850 and served until 1856, and the
following year was elected member of x4ssembly. He
made a good record in all these official positions. In 1860
he was elected to Congress and served continuously four
terms, or eight years. During his service he was a favorite
candidate for speaker of the House and served for a short
time with ability. During his service in Congress Mr.
Pomeroy was chosen on some very important committees.
He was at different times member of the committee on
currency and banking, and the Post Office department.
Mr. Pomeroy was a delegate to the Republican National
Convention in 1876 and served as temporary chairman.
In 1878 he was elected to the state Senate and remained
two years.

Mr. Pomeroy was an orator, a finished speaker and a
man who commanded attention and the highest degree of
respect. In his political life, as in his business life, his
course was above unfavorable criticism. He was con-
scientious and faithful. He was for many years a partner
in the banking house of William H. Seward & Co., and was
an active counsel for the American Express Company. He
died March 23, 1905.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 265

JOHN W. o'bRIEN, ESQ.

John W. O'Brien, one of the most brilliant as well 'j one
of the most popular members of the Cayuga County bar,
was born in Auburn, October 13, 1853. He prepared for
college in the Auburn city schools and graduated at
Hamilton College in the class of 1873.

After graduating, Mr. O'Brien became principal of the
GriflSth Institute at Springville, N. Y., where he remained
two years. He then accepted the position of instructor in
mathematics and ancient history in the Brooklyn Poly-
technic Institute. At the close of one year, however, he
entered the Columbia Law School and graduated in 1878
and was admitted the same year. Mr. O'Brien then went
to Colorado where he practiced three years, two years of
which time he was prosecuting attorney. He achieved a
name and high standing in the state. He returned to
Auburn and formed a partnership with Hon. Sereno E.
Payne, which continued until Mr. O'Brien's death in 1895.
He served two terms as city attorney, was a member of the
board of education, serving also as its president, and for
several years was a lecturer on law in Hamilton College.
Had Mr. O'Brien lived out a full life, unquestionably, he
would have been one of the foremost lawyers of western
New York.

HON. BENJAMIN M. WILCOX

Hon. Benjamin M. Wilcox was born in Fleming, Cayuga
County, June 21, 1854. He was a son of Joseph and Lydia
Martin Wilcox. Benjamin M. was a clerk in the office of
D. M. Osborne & Company and subsequently a messenger

266 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

boy in the County Clerk's office. When he became
twenty-one he was appointed deputy County Clerk. In
1882 he was elected County Clerk and served continuously
three terms, or nine years. At the close of this service,
he engaged in the manufacture of shoes. Meanwhile Mr.
Wilcox was active in politics and in the Republican party.
He was a hard worker, was popular and therefore was
strong in the matter of party favor. He was elected to the
State Senate and re-elected several times. He made a
high record as a legislator and while there held many
important positions on various committees. He retired
from public life, however, and died in 1912.

ANTHONY SHIMER

Anthony Shimer was one of the very complex characters
whose exact place in a community is difficult to define.
He safely can be put down as a "retro-progressive" because
he combined both of these hostile elements. He was
progressive in the sense of industry and material gain, yet
the opposite of progress in the sense of being a maker and
builder. Mentally, Shimer was exclusive — he was in a
class by himself.

Shimer, in the forepart of his career, was a pack-peddler.
He carried jewelry and traveled over the country and
every night he saw to it that the day had produced a cash
balance in his favor. He was shrewd, yet none ever
charged him with being dishonest. If cash deals hap-
pened to be slow, he would barter and dicker. He had
the faculty, minus dishonest intent, of wheedling his cus-
tomer into a desired deal. Thus, he made progress, in
accumulation.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 267

Mr. Shinier had some musical talent too. He could
play an accordian with fetching effect. Once he stopped at
a country house, it is said, and while there acted the part
of Orpheus by playing some tunes on his instrument.
The householder was fascinated with the melody and
wished to possess it but the cash was not at hand. They,
however, owned a yoke of oxen and so proposed a deal.
Shimer finally consented to trade his twenty dollar accor-
dian for the cattle. Then he immediately sold them for
eighty dollars. This is an index to his manner of getting
on in the world.

Meanwhile, Shimer was buying real estate in the busi-
ness section of Auburn and paying for it. He finally
owned much property along Genesee street and upon the
better side streets. But Shimer's policy of handling realty
was as unchangeable as the law of theMedes and Persians.
Once he got a piece of property he never spent a dollar for
improvements on it. So he owned many "rickety" and
unsightly buildings that barred all real progress. He
never gave a time lease of a building or store. If his
tenant desired improvements made, he was at liberty to
make them, but not Shimer. He owned a store on Clark
street on which the tenant one time made notable improve-
ments, whereupon, Shimer raised the rental, because, as he
said, it was worth it.

Shimer enjoyed hunting, and so in company with some
of his friends he went one day duck shooting. At the end
of the day's hunt, Shimer had no ducks and in an impulse
of sympathy one of his companions, when they parted at
the station on their return, gave him a pair, saying he knew

268 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Shimer would like them for his supper. Shimer sold the
ducks to a restaurant for fifty cents on the way up State
street from the station.

But this was his character. Shimer could not help it.
Shimer was queer and a bar to progress, yet he had a keen
sense of honor. On no account would he rent a building
for the sale of intoxicating liquors; nor would he condone
any manner of wrongdoing in one of his buildings for the
sake of the rental. His personality and dress were as odd
as were his manners and customs. When Shimer died
Auburn lost an interrogation point.

INDUSTRIES

D. M. OSBORNE COMPANY

The story of the D. M. Osborne Company has been told
in considerable detail in connection with the sketch of its
founder.

When the business was started in 1858 the company was
composed of D. M. Osborne, Cyrus C. Dennis and Charles
P. Wood. In 1862 they took over the Cayuga Chief plant
and it became a corporation with D. M. Osborne, presi-
dent, Alonzo G. Beardsley, treasurer, and John H. Osborne
secretary. In 1905, it became a part of the International
Harvester Company. It now gives employment to nearly
three thousand people in the various departments, and
therefore, has a pay roll that contributes greatly to the
thrift and stability of Auburn.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 269

DUNN & MC CARTHY

In 1889 Dunn & McCarthy purchased the Barber
Woolen Company's buildings and began the manufacture
of shoes. At first the output was not large but the busi-
ness expanded until six or seven hundred people
were employed. In point of product and volume of
business, the company has been eminently successful.
The company also has a similar plant at Binghamton,
N. Y.

NYE & WAIT COMPANY

For a long period of time Messrs. Nye & Wait were
manufacturers of ingrain carpets only. They built up a
large business and their carpets were sold in all parts of
the country. The almost universal adoption of rugs in
place of carpets, however, in later years, made necessary a
change in product. Therefore, the company began the
manufacture of rugs and now has a great output of rugs
in an almost endless variety of patterns. They began
wuth eight looms and now have one hundred and fifty, the
plant being equally well equipped in all other respects.

During the first twelve years the product was sold
through commission houses, but latterly the company sells
its manufactured goods direct, having headquarters and
salesroom in New York City. In 1889 it became a cor-
poration with George H. Nye, president and treasurer;
W. F. Wait, vice-president, and J. W. Anderson, secretary.
It is a strong industry and gives employment to a large
force of people.

RICHARD ECCLES COMPANY

The Eccles Company began business in 1880 and was
incorporated in 1905. The company makes vehicle

270 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

forgings and special drop forgings. It has been a success-
ful company from the start. Richard Eccles is president
and W. W. Eccles secretary and treasurer.

THE COLUMBIAN ROPE COMPANY

This industry was an outgrowth of the old D. M.
Osborne Works. The president of the Columbian Rope
Company, Mr. E. D. Metcalf, was formerly general
manager of the D. M. Osborne Company and at the same
time vice-president of the Rope Company.

In 1903 when the International Harvester Co. purchased
the D. M. Osborne Co., the Columbian Cordage Co., which
was associated with the D. M. Osborne Co., was not
included in the transfer. Messrs. Metcalf & Osborne then
formed the new company to manufacture rope exclusively.
The binder twine plant of the old Columbian Cordage Co.,
was taken over by the International Harvester Co.

It was in August, 1903, when building operations were
first commenced on the new mill at the far western end of
the city. Until this time the grounds had been occupied
by the County Fair. It was March, 1904, when the plant
was sufficiently equipped to begin the making of rope.
Office work was continued in the old quarters on Cottage
.street for a few months, but by the middle of June, 1904,
the office was completed and ready for occupancy. The
wisdom of its founders has been demonstrated during the
past years, for the rope of the Columbian Rope Company
is now known throughout the United States, and many
shipments go abroad.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 271

In March, 1907, another large mill was added to the
plant, m which only the finest kinds of twines are manu-
factured. This mill is now one of the largest of its kind in
the country.

The first buildings which were erected were devoted
entirely to the manufacture of rope made from Manila and
Sisal fibres. Manila fibre is a product of the Phillipine
Islands, and has to be imported many months ahead from
this far distant country. Sisal fibre, which is ordinarily
known as a substitute for Manila, comes from the country
of Yucatan. This is the only part of the world where Sisal
fibre has been grown successfully, and in sufficient quanti-
ties to become a worthy competitor of Manila.

In the second mill only what is termed soft fibres are
used. These fibres consist of flax, hemp and jute. Flax
comes from many of the European Nations, notably
Russia, Belgium and Italy. Hemp is a product of Italy
and to a limited extent most of the countries of Southern
Europe, with a limited product in the United States.

Jute fibre, used in the common grades of twine, is
imported from India. The bales of fibre are stored in large
fire-proof rooms, and are used as the demands of trade
require. It is not unusual to have a hundred or more car-
loads of raw material arrive within a space of two or three
weeks. There is no Rope Walk connected with the Rope
Company, for modern machinery has changed the old
method of hand spinning and laying. Now instead of
workmen walking backwards with a bundle of hemp,
machines pull the fibre out smoothly, spin it into yarns and
form it into rope. The rope is wound on reels as fast as

272 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

made, thus doing away with the low building which for so
many years was the typical construction of a rope plant.
The finished product is shipped to every state in the Union
and to many foreign countries. Shipments are made to
South Africa, Asia Minor, Europe, South America, and
even to the Island of the Pacific.

The company was incorporated in 1903 with a capital of
$1,000,000. It employs about one thousand people, and
the annual pay roll (1912) was between $400,000 and
$500,000. There are about fifteen acres of floor space and
a power plant of both steam and electricity. Railroad
connections consist of three private tracks. The company
has large warehouses with selling ofiices in New York,
Chicago and Boston.

The officers are as follows: President, E. D. Metcalf;
vice-president, T. M. Osborne; general manager, E. F.
Metcalf; secretary and treasurer, F. M. Everett; assistant
treasurer, H. G. Metcalf.

E. D. CLAPP MFG. CO.

The business of the E. D. Clapp Mfg. Co., which con-
sists of the manufacture of drop forgings for carriages,
automobiles and other lines of goods, was established in
1864 by E. D. Clapp and Frederick Van Patten. The
first factory was a building about thirty feet square, two
stories high and attached to the Auburn City Flour Mills
on Mechanic street. The articles manufactured were
thill couplings and fifth wheels for carriages. The demand
for these goods gradually increased and in the year 1869
the company built a large brick factory on Water street.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 273

Here new lines of goods were added and business increased
rapidly. This building proved inadequate to meet the
demand of the increasing business and a large structure at
the junction of Genesee and Division streets was erected in
1874 and the machinery and office were removed in the
summer of that year. Additional buildings were con-
structed from time to time until the floor space occupied
was about two acres. The business of making carriage
forgings has been continued uninterruptedly since 1864
and when bicycles began to be manufactured a consider-
able portion of the capacity was employed for bicycle
forgings. When the automobile business sprang up,
automobile forgings were taken up and now constitute a
considerable portion of the company's business.

The E. D. Clapp Mfg. Co., one of the pioneer drop
forging concerns of the country, has recently completed a
series of comprehensive improvements in accordance with
the most modern forging practice. The company's shops
are located in the western section of Auburn, on a plot of
land sufficiently large to allow for the erection of additional
buildings whenever necessary. At present they occupy
over two acres of floor space.

The company, which virtually operates three depart-
ments, devoted respectively to the carriage, automobile
and general manufacturing trades, is entering on its forty-
seventh year with excellent prospects and under the
management of the same family by whom it was founded
in 1864; the officers being Delamer E. Clapp, president
and general manager; William S. Lee, vice-president and
secretary; and E. Donaldson Clapp, treasurer and sales
manager.

274 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

THE EAGLE WAGON WORKS

The Eagle Wagon Works was incorporated in 1905.
The oflScers were : Frank E. Swift, president; Thomas M.
Osborne, vice-president; Clarence F. Baldwin, treasurer;
and Courtney C. Avery, secretary.

The product of the company comprises dump wagons
and dump boxes for farm wagons. It has been a success-
ful industry from its start. The company now employs
about one hundred men and the output is sold over the
entire country. The tonnage of shipment at present is
exceeded by very few manufacturing concerns in Auburn.
In 1905 the Wagon Company moved to the Auburn
Spring Company's building and at the same time it pur-
chased the Parmelee Malt property and converted it into
a factory. Owing to the increase in business the company
also purchased the Auburn Hame Company's plant and
since that another addition has been made to accommodate
the growing business.

D. WADS WORTH & SON

The Wadsworth Manufacturing concern is one of the old
industries of Auburn. In 1818 Joseph W^adsworth began
making scythes in Auburn. In 1829 he bought the
property upon which the factory is now located. There
was an old carding mill on the ground which was converted
into a shop. He carried on the business until 1845, when
David Wadsworth assumed control and did successful
business until 1876, at which time, David Wadsworth, his
son, became a partner under the name of D. Wadsworth &
Son, the name it still bears, although David, the son, is

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 275

now the sole proprietor. The plant now comprises a group
of several large buildings, and a hundred men are employed
in the industry. The Wads worth scythes have a market
in many countries of the world. The stamp of "D.
Wadsworth & Son" is considered a guarantee of good
goods.

THE WEGMAN PIANO CO.

The manufacture of the Wegman piano was begun in
1887 in a small way, but the instrument proved to have
merit and as it became known, the sales increased rapidly.
The pianos now have a market throughout the United
States and the Wegman is a well known and popular piano.
In 1894 a corporation was formed at which time it became
the Wegman Piano Company. William C. Burgess is
secretary, treasurer and general manager. The company
has a large factory on Logan street, where employment is
given to nearly one hundred skilled workmen.

THE AUBURN BUTTON WORKS

The Auburn Button Works was established in 1876. It
was then known as Woodruff's Button Factory. The name
subsequently was changed as at present. The business is
carried on by Mr. J. Hermon Woodruff. In addition to
the original product of buttons, the plant turns out type-
writer keys, gun buts and other specialties. The plant is
very large and employs a large force of operators.

AUBURN LEATHER GOODS CO.

The Auburn Leather Goods Company was formerly a
part of the Auburn Leather and Brass ^lanufacturing

276 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

Company. In 1907 the Leather Goods Company moved
to quarters on Mill street, where ample room was acquired
for the business.

THE BOWEN MANUFACTURING CO.

The Bowen Manufacturing Company became an
Auburn industry in 1894. The business was carried on
for several years in a part of the plant now occupied by the
Richard Eccles Company. In 1906 the Bowen Company
erected a large and adequate plant in Canal street, which
has been their headquarters. The company makes oil
cups, grease cups and steel stampings. It is a prosperous
and substantial business. About one hundred and fifty
men are employed.

Quick & Thomas make pressed steel specialties. This
covers a wide variety of articles in which the firm has made
a profitable business. It is active and staple.

The Lewis & Brister Mill on Genesee street at the outlet
is one of the historic industries of xVuburn, because it was
on this site that Colonel Hardenburgh built his first little
grist mill. In 1824 the present stone mill was erected and
is still in operation.

The Auburn Woolen Company also is one of the early
established industries of the city. This enterprise has
received mention in the preceding pages. It is a large
plant and, although the ownership has passed to new
hands from time to time, it has been an industry of much
value to the city, employing usually about three hundred
people. The plant recently was absorbed by a syndicate,
which fact has materially lessened the working force and
its production.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS 277

The Mcintosh & Seymour Company was estabhshed
in 1886 and has been one of the very strong and successful
industrial enterprises of the city. The company's product
is a special compound, automatic, cut-off engine, which is
an invention of Messrs. Mcintosh & Seymour. The
engine is regarded as one of the most complete and perfect
engine products in the country. The sale of the Mcintosh
& Seymour engines is country wide. The company has a
large plant, and employs about two hundred men.

The Geiser Manufacturing Company builds road
engines, gasoline engines and portable engines, also sta-
tionery engines, steam plows, threshers, grain drills and
corn-hullers. It is a prosperous company.

The Firth Company manufacture axminster rugs. The
company was organized in 1902 and has greatly expanded
its plant and increased its business. The company recent-
ly erected a large adjacent building in order to increase the
working force to the limit of meeting the demand for its
product. It gives employment to a large number of
women and a considerable number of men.

The Henry & Allen Company, manufacturers of agricul-
tural implement supplies was incorporated in 1893. The
company also makes drop forgings. It is an important
industry and a factor in the industrial life of Auburn.

THE MUNICIPALITY

In speaking of the municipality, it is not irrelevant to go
back to the celebration of July 4th, 1865, because this
particular event surpassed and overshadowed all similar
demonstrations in the history of Auburn. The celebration

278 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF A

of 1804 was a memorable one but the circumstances that
inspired the latter event make it historical.

The Civil War had come to a close and the whole popu-
lace in consequence was a-tremble with happiness and
exultation. This feeling was expressed in the demonstra-
tion of the day. It opened with a salute of a hundred guns
at sunrise and the exercises began by the singing of the
national anthem by the Auburn Glee Club. Every
fraternal organization and civic body in Auburn and the
county was in line in the parade. Many soldiers had
returned from the field of battle and naturally were the
most conspicuous element in the day's doings. The city
was profusely bedecked with flags and emblems. Tri-
umphal arches were erected along the streets bearing the
sentiments of the time as follows: "Welcome Conquering
Heroes," "The only debt we never can pay — the debt to
our soldiers," and many others. The Rev. Dr. Brainard
read the Declaration of Independence and Governor
Thomas G. Alward of Syracuse delivered the oration. The
city literally was choked with people from every quarter
of the county and there was no restraint placed on the
enthusiasm or actions of the crowd. The demonstration
constitutes an interesting bit of Auburn's history.

Auburn today, with its strong and diversified manufac-
turing industries, its public institutions, its great number
of well paved and well kept streets, and a street car system
almost unmatched by any city of the same class, together
with its great number of substantial business men, has
cause for no small degree of pride. It has builded well and
achieved much in a hundred and twenty years.

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